Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Sioux Falls, SD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 47% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$801
$825
+3% in Sioux Falls, SD
1 Bedroom
$752
$870
+16% in Sioux Falls, SD
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,000
+0% in Detroit, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,237
+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$271,400
+253% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$74,714
+89% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$47,970
+8% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
35.1 yr
about equal
Homeownership
49.7%
60.0%
+10.3 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
37.4%
+19.8 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Avg Commute
25.4 min
17.0 min
+8.4 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
526.7
+70% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
2,927.1
+33% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.3°F
45.8°F
+4.5°F in Detroit, MI
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
26.4 in
+4.9 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
22.0
15.7
+29% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.07
$10.95
+22% in Detroit, MI

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 (MI / SD)
6%
4.2%
+1.8 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
None
+4.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Sioux Falls?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Sioux Falls, SD's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Sioux Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Sioux Falls?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).