Living Cost Compare
Minneapolis

Minnesota

$1,370/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 $1,370 in Minneapolis, MN versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Minneapolis, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $80,269 in Minneapolis, MN and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 7% higher in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$992
$825
+17% in Minneapolis, MN
1 Bedroom
$1,192
$870
+27% in Minneapolis, MN
2 Bedroom
$1,555
$1,000
+36% in Minneapolis, MN
3 Bedroom
$1,761
$1,237
+30% in Minneapolis, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$345,600
$271,400
+21% in Minneapolis, MN

Income

Median Household Income
$80,269
$74,714
+7% in Minneapolis, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,320
$47,970
+19% in Minneapolis, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.0 yr
35.1 yr
+2.1 yr in Sioux Falls, SD
Homeownership
48.0%
60.0%
+12.0 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
54.5%
37.4%
+17.1 pp in Minneapolis, MN
Avg Commute
22.5 min
17.0 min
+5.5 min in Minneapolis, MN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,168.5
526.7
+55% in Minneapolis, MN
Property Crime
5,183.1
2,927.1
+44% in Minneapolis, MN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.4°F
45.8°F
+1.6°F in Minneapolis, MN
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
26.4 in
+6.4 in in Minneapolis, MN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.95/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: Minnesota vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — Metro Transit vs (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.9
15.7
+7% in Minneapolis, MN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.95
$10.95
+27% in Minneapolis, MN

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 (MN / SD)
6.875%
4.2%
+2.7 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
9.85%
None
+9.8 pp in MN

Minneapolis vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Minneapolis or Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Minneapolis, MN's $1,370, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Minneapolis than in Sioux Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Minneapolis versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Minneapolis or Sioux Falls?
Minneapolis is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).