Question 1

Is Detroit or Sioux Falls cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $575/month less than in Detroit, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,411/mo in Detroit versus $1,156/mo in Sioux Falls.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Detroit vs Sioux Falls?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $78,500/year before tax in Detroit, MI and $60,000/year in Sioux Falls, SD — a difference of about $18,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Detroit or Sioux Falls cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Sioux Falls, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,052/month in Detroit and $8,617/month in Sioux Falls, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Detroit or Sioux Falls?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Sioux Falls costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Detroit58	Sioux Falls69
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,078	$3,503
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,052	$8,617
Salary for comfort	$78,500/yr	$60,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,411	$1,156
Median home value	$76,800	$271,400
Median household income	$39,575	$74,714
Unemployment	10.7%	2.0%
Housing score	61	84
Jobs score	36	79
Safety score	18	53
Climate score	79	64
Amenities score	82	20
Population	636.6K	197.6K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 20°	84° / 7°

Detroit, MI vs Sioux Falls, SD