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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd save $160/month moving to Sioux Falls, SD

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.1K in Sioux Falls, SD

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 2.1%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$160
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.9K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Des Moines, IA

Population:214K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$228K

Sioux Falls, SD

Population:206K
Cost Index:
98
(2% below avg)
Median Home:$280K

Des Moines, IA

The Hawkeye State

214K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 214K residents.

Sioux Falls, SD

The Mount Rushmore State

206K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in South Dakota, this city has a population of 206K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: South Dakota has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Des Moines, IA vs Sioux Falls, SD

Housing
โ†“ 11.8%
Des Moines, IA
$2,079
Sioux Falls, SD
$1,834
Difference
$245
less
Transportation
โ†“ 3.2%
Des Moines, IA
$1,243
Sioux Falls, SD
$1,203
Difference
$39.83
less
Other
โ†“ 2.2%
Des Moines, IA
$1,607
Sioux Falls, SD
$1,572
Difference
$35.29
less
Groceries
โ†‘ 2.7%
Des Moines, IA
$909
Sioux Falls, SD
$934
Difference
$24.64
more
Healthcare
โ†“ 1.6%
Des Moines, IA
$682
Sioux Falls, SD
$671
Difference
$11.01
less
All Utilities
โ†“ 1.6%
Des Moines, IA
$470
Sioux Falls, SD
$462
Difference
$7.59
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,020
To$683
โ†“ $337
1 Bed
From$1,060
To$782
โ†“ $278
2 Bed
From$1,260
To$913
โ†“ $347
3 Bed
From$1,720
To$1,251
โ†“ $469
Des Moines, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $960โ€“$1,150/mo

Sioux Falls, SDZIP-level data

1BR range: $880โ€“$1,060/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,990
Monthly in Des Moines, IA
$6,676
Monthly in Sioux Falls, SD
$314
Difference

Home Values

Des Moines
Sioux Falls
$228K
Median Value
$280K
โ†‘ +1.2%
YoY Change
โ†‘ +0.5%
โ†‘ +32.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +35.6%
$157K - $344K
Price Range
$216K - $323K

Homes in Sioux Falls are 22% more expensive than Des Moines

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $10.7K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$892
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
7.1%
Rate difference

Des Moines, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Sioux Falls, SD

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
South Dakota State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Des Moines, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Sioux Falls, SD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.4%
Property Tax:1.3%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Des Moines
Sioux Falls
45 Good
Air Quality
45 Good
67.5%
Good Air Days
63.7%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒกโ˜€๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
35 days
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
35 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Iowa and South Dakota on TaxTakeHome.com

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