CostIndexUSA

Salinas, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableSD
Sioux Falls
90.6
overall index
$1,225/mo rent

Sioux Falls is significantly cheaper than Salinas — 16.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salinas, you would need $66,500 in Sioux Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.7%
Salinas
145.7
Sioux Falls
77.6
🛒 Groceries9.2%
Salinas
105.2
Sioux Falls
95.5
🚗 Transportation8.4%
Salinas
105.3
Sioux Falls
96.5
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Salinas
95.3
Sioux Falls
87.3
Utilities47.7%
Salinas
154.2
Sioux Falls
80.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux Falls, SD
$66,500
$13,500 less needed in Sioux Falls

Formula: salary × (90.6 ÷ 109) = salary × 0.8312. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Sioux Falls, SD

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

Salinas has 46.7% lower housing costs compared to Sioux Falls.

Income & Job Market

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

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).

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.