State overview · SD
What salary do you need to live comfortably in South Dakota? Real data for 1 city, updated June 2026.
| City | Salary needed | Housing / mo | Median salary | Salary gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $83,132 | $1,156 | $47,970 | $35,162 |
Cost of Living in South Dakota
Sioux Falls requires an estimated $83,215 per year for a comfortable baseline, which runs well below the national median of $97,658. That gap of roughly $14,000 makes South Dakota's largest city a relatively affordable option compared to much of the country. Even so, the local median salary of $46,720 falls $36,495 short of what residents actually need, meaning someone earning that wage covers only about half of their true cost of living. These figures reflect Sioux Falls alone and should not be read as a statewide picture of South Dakota's affordability.
CityWage currently tracks one city in South Dakota. The table below breaks down Sioux Falls's full cost profile, with monthly housing costs sitting at $1,156.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cost of living in Sioux Falls, SD?
You need about $83,132 per year to live comfortably in Sioux Falls, based on the 50/30/20 budget rule applied to BLS and HUD data.
Does the median salary in Sioux Falls cover the cost of living?
Not on its own. The median local salary of $47,970 falls about $35,162 short of the $83,132 needed to live comfortably.
Is Sioux Falls above or below the national average?
Sioux Falls runs below the national median. It needs $83,132 per year versus the national figure of $97,559.