Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
78

San Jose is 226% more expensive than Sioux Falls.

$2,617/mo ↑ 164%
Median Rent
$993/mo ↓ 62%
$141,565/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$74,714/yr ↓ 47%
$1,187,800 ↑ 338%
Home Value
$271,400 ↓ 77%
$2,775/mo ↑ 147%
Owner Costs
$1,122/mo ↓ 60%
990,054
Population
197,642

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.2%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.28%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Sioux Falls, SD, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,624/month cheaper in Sioux Falls, saving renters about $19,488/year.

Median household income is $66,851/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $271,400 in Sioux Falls.

South Dakota has no state income tax, giving Sioux Falls residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Sioux Falls — common questions

Is San Jose or Sioux Falls cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sioux Falls is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Sioux Falls?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Sioux Falls it's $993/month — a difference of $1,624/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Sioux Falls?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $74,714 in Sioux Falls. Median household income is $66,851/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and South Dakota?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. South Dakota has 0% income tax, 4.2% sales tax, and 1.28% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Sioux Falls?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Sioux Falls has a cost index of 78 with rent of $993/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Sioux Falls details →

More Comparisons

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