CostIndexUSA

Salem, OR vs Sioux Falls, SD Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableSD
Sioux Falls
90.6
overall index
$1,225/mo rent

Sioux Falls is moderately cheaper than Salem — 12.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salem, you would need $70,000 in Sioux Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing29.6%
Salem
110.3
Sioux Falls
77.6
🛒 Groceries9.3%
Salem
105.3
Sioux Falls
95.5
🚗 Transportation8.4%
Salem
105.3
Sioux Falls
96.5
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Salem
95.3
Sioux Falls
87.3
Utilities22.9%
Salem
104.7
Sioux Falls
80.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Salem to see what you'd need to earn in Sioux Falls to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux Falls, SD
$70,000
$10,000 less needed in Sioux Falls

Formula: salary × (90.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8745. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Sioux Falls, SD

Median Home Price
$329,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
77.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.4×

Salem has 29.6% lower housing costs compared to Sioux Falls.

Income & Job Market

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Sioux Falls, SD

Median Household Income
$76,200
Per Capita Income
$43,400
Unemployment Rate
2%
Population
192,517
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Sioux Falls, SD
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.