Living Cost Compare
Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

vs
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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 31% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$791
$825
+4% in Sioux Falls, SD
1 Bedroom
$817
$870
+6% in Sioux Falls, SD
2 Bedroom
$1,023
$1,000
+2% in Cincinnati, OH
3 Bedroom
$1,228
$1,237
+1% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$215,300
$271,400
+26% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$51,707
$74,714
+44% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,170
$47,970
+4% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.0 yr
35.1 yr
+2.1 yr in Sioux Falls, SD
Homeownership
38.9%
60.0%
+21.1 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.3%
37.4%
+3.9 pp in Cincinnati, OH
Avg Commute
23.1 min
17.0 min
+6.1 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
856.5
526.7
+39% in Cincinnati, OH
Property Crime
3,877.7
2,927.1
+25% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
54.3°F
45.8°F
+8.5°F in Cincinnati, OH
Annual Precipitation
41.9 in
26.4 in
+15.6 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.18/gal
$3.94/gal
+6% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.5
15.7
+19% in Cincinnati, OH
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.83
$10.95
+52% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / SD)
5.75%
4.2%
+1.5 pp in OH
Income Tax (top rate)
2.75%
None
+2.8 pp in OH

Cincinnati vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Sioux Falls?
They're close. Cincinnati, OH runs about $1,030 a month and Sioux Falls, SD about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Sioux Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Sioux Falls?
Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).