Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Sioux Falls?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 14% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$825

+25% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$870

+16% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,000

+18% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,237

+23% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$271,400

+0% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$74,714

+17% in Sioux Falls, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$47,970

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.1 yr

+2.7 yr in Sioux Falls, SD

Homeownership

45.7%

60.0%

+14.3 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

37.4%

+4.7 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

22.9 min

17.0 min

+5.9 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

526.7

+10% in Sioux Falls, SD

Property Crime

3,800.7

2,927.1

+23% in Norfolk, VA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.3°F

45.8°F

+15.5°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

26.4 in

+18.4 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

15.7

+11% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$10.95

+54% in Norfolk, VA

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 Norfolk, VA

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 (VA / SD)

5.3%

4.2%

+1.1 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in VA

Norfolk vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Sioux Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Sioux Falls?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).