Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Sioux Falls, SD (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
78

St. Paul is 17% more expensive than Sioux Falls.

$1,248/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$993/mo ↓ 20%
$73,055/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$74,714/yr ↑ 2%
$280,300 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$271,400 ↓ 3%
$1,390/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,122/mo ↓ 19%
307,762
Population
197,642

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
0%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.2%
1.11%
Property Tax
1.28%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Sioux Falls, SD, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $255/month cheaper in Sioux Falls, saving renters about $3,060/year.

Median household income is $1,659/year higher in Sioux Falls. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $271,400 in Sioux Falls.

South Dakota has no state income tax, giving Sioux Falls residents a significant tax advantage over Minnesota's 9.85% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Sioux Falls — common questions

Is St. Paul 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 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Sioux Falls?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Sioux Falls it's $993/month — a difference of $255/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Sioux Falls?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $74,714 in Sioux Falls. Median household income is $1,659/year higher in Sioux Falls.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and South Dakota?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. South Dakota has 0% income tax, 4.2% sales tax, and 1.28% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Sioux Falls?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/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 St. Paul details → View Sioux Falls details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Sioux Falls

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