Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Sioux Falls?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Boise vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 8% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$825

+19% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$870

+23% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,000

+25% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,237

+29% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$271,400

+40% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$74,714

+8% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$47,970

+2% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.1 yr

+3.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

60.0%

+3.0 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

37.4%

+9.2 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

17.0 min

+2.1 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

526.7

+75% in Sioux Falls, SD

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,927.1

+158% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

45.8°F

+6.7°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

26.4 in

+14.6 in in Sioux Falls, SD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

15.7

+27% in Sioux Falls, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$10.95

+1% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / SD)

4.2%

+1.8 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Sioux Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Sioux Falls?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).