Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Sioux Falls?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Sioux Falls?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 29% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$784

$825

+5% in Sioux Falls, SD

1 Bedroom

$916

$870

+5% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,000

+3% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,237

+1% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$271,400

+67% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$74,714

+41% in Sioux Falls, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$47,970

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.1 yr

+0.2 yr in Sioux Falls, SD

Homeownership

50.9%

60.0%

+9.1 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

37.4%

+13.2 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

20.6 min

17.0 min

+3.6 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

526.7

+4% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,927.1

+20% in Augusta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

45.8°F

+19.4°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

26.4 in

+20.2 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

15.7

+1% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$10.95

+67% in Augusta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Sioux Falls, SD

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / SD)

4.2%

+0.2 pp in SD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Sioux Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Sioux Falls?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).