Median rent is 40% lower in Sioux Falls ($993/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sioux Falls, where the median home runs $271,400 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $74,714 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Sioux Falls, SD
How much would you need to earn in Sioux Falls, SD to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Sioux Falls — median rent of $993/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 40% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $271,400 in Sioux Falls — 47% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and South Dakota have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.20% in South Dakota; Sioux Falls has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Sioux Falls
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 4.20%
Sioux Falls has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Sioux Falls if you prioritize cheaper rent ($993/mo median).
Pick Sioux Falls if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Austin cheaper than Sioux Falls?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Sioux Falls?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $993/mo in Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux Falls, SD has the lower rent by about 40%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Sioux Falls?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Sioux Falls, SD has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Sioux Falls?
Both Texas and South Dakota have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Sioux Falls to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology