Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Sioux Falls?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Sioux Falls, SD's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson 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 Jackson versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Sioux Falls?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Sioux Falls, SD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 42% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$825

+24% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$870

+7% in Sioux Falls, SD

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,000

+1% in Sioux Falls, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,237

+10% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$271,400

+151% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$74,714

+73% in Sioux Falls, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$47,970

+12% in Sioux Falls, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

35.1 yr

+0.4 yr in Sioux Falls, SD

Homeownership

48.6%

60.0%

+11.4 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

37.4%

+8.8 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

20.2 min

17.0 min

+3.2 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

526.7

Property Crime

—

2,927.1

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

45.8°F

+19.5°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

26.4 in

+27.9 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Sioux Falls, SD

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

15.7

+3% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$10.95

+60% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 (MS / SD)

4.2%

+2.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Jackson vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Sioux Falls?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Sioux Falls, SD's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson 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 Jackson versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Sioux Falls?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).