City Comparison
Brandon vs Sioux Falls
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brandon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brandon
Sioux Falls
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brandon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Sioux Falls.
| Metric | Brandon | Sioux Falls | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,327 | -6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $248 | -31% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,345 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brandon offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brandon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brandon is estimated at
$52,000 vs $61,000 in Sioux Falls.
| Metric | Brandon | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $60,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 68,182 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $75,970 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brandon runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brandon comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brandon sees 22.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brandon | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Brandon scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brandon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brandon | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sioux Falls is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Brandon.
From a growth perspective, Brandon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sioux Falls has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brandon | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,486 | 224,676 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 2.30% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brandon
Advantages
Exceptional local school district (Brandon Valley School District) frequently recognized for academic and athletic excellence
Significantly lower crime rates and higher safety profile compared to the national U.S. average
Favorable tax environment featuring no state personal income tax in South Dakota
Convenient proximity to Sioux Falls providing access to major healthcare systems and employment centers
Rapidly growing community with modern housing developments and extensive neighborhood parks
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure within the city
Rising housing costs and increasing property values driven by strong demand and limited inventory
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring adaptation to harsh seasonal weather conditions
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, requiring trips to Sioux Falls
Competitive real estate market for prospective home buyers looking to settle in top-tier school zones
Sioux Falls
Advantages
Violent crime per capita reached a five-year low in 2025, and property crime decreased by 26% from 2024 to 2025.
The cost of living in Sioux Falls is approximately 12.5% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 24.1% cheaper.
Sioux Falls was ranked the third-least-stressed city in America for 2025.
The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls was 2.00% in June 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Sanford USD Medical Center was ranked the #1 hospital in South Dakota for 2024-2025 and recognized among the World's Best Hospitals.
Drawbacks
Despite overall crime decreases, the city's safety grade was D in 2024, with a violent crime rate of 526.7 per 100K residents.
The city has minimal public transportation options and a low walkability score of 38, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the national average, at 3.9% more.
While overall job growth is strong, the Sioux Falls area gained an average of only 50 jobs per month in 2025, which was the lowest since 2025 (excluding pandemic years).
Average home care costs are high, with in-home support listed at $8,389 per month in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brandon
#7South Dakota, USA
77.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
Sioux Falls
#27South Dakota, USA
72.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,327
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
34.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.30%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
82
Business
80
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