Performance
Score Breakdown
Sioux Falls
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sioux Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Dallas.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,327 | $1,412 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $248 | $281 | -12% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,345 | $2,404 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sioux Falls delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sioux Falls is estimated at
$61,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,182 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $75,970 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sioux Falls has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 38.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Sioux Falls.
From a growth perspective, Sioux Falls 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 | Sioux Falls | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 224,676 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.30% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sioux Falls
#5South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,327
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
34.0/10
Walkability
38.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.30%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
82
Business
80
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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