Question 1

Is Minneapolis or Sioux Falls cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $685/month less than in Minneapolis, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,709/mo in Minneapolis versus $1,156/mo in Sioux Falls.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Minneapolis vs Sioux Falls?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $79,000/year before tax in Minneapolis, MN and $60,000/year in Sioux Falls, SD — a difference of about $19,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Minneapolis 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 $10,983/month in Minneapolis and $8,617/month in Sioux Falls, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Minneapolis 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	Minneapolis52	Sioux Falls69
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,188	$3,503
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,983	$8,617
Salary for comfort	$79,000/yr	$60,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,709	$1,156
Median home value	$345,600	$271,400
Median household income	$80,269	$74,714
Unemployment	4.2%	2.0%
Housing score	60	84
Jobs score	42	79
Safety score	11	53
Climate score	60	64
Amenities score	64	20
Population	426.8K	197.6K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 8°	84° / 7°

Minneapolis, MN vs Sioux Falls, SD