CostIndexUSA

Sioux Falls, SD vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSD
Sioux Falls
90.6
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Sioux Falls is significantly cheaper than Washington — 20.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Sioux Falls, you would need $96,200 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+94.7%
Sioux Falls
77.6
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+9.7%
Sioux Falls
95.5
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+11.3%
Sioux Falls
96.5
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+11.3%
Sioux Falls
87.3
Washington
97.2
Utilities+32.2%
Sioux Falls
80.7
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$96,200
$16,200 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 90.6) = salary × 1.2020. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Sioux Falls, SD

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

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 94.7% higher housing costs compared to Sioux Falls.

Income & Job Market

Sioux Falls, SD

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

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

81% of income left after rent (median)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.