Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

Which has lower taxes, Reno or Sioux Falls?

Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Reno vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV versus $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,448 in Reno, NV and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 5% higher in Reno, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Reno, NV

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$964

$825

+14% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,206

$870

+28% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,518

$1,000

+34% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,885

$1,237

+34% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$498,600

$271,400

+46% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$78,448

$74,714

+5% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$47,970

+3% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

35.1 yr

+2.2 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

49.4%

60.0%

+10.6 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.7%

37.4%

+1.7 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

20.6 min

17.0 min

+3.6 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

528.9

526.7

+0% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

2,489.3

2,927.1

+18% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.8°F

45.8°F

+8.0°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

7.4 in

26.4 in

+19.0 in in Sioux Falls, SD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Reno, NV

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

15.7

+16% in Sioux Falls, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.09

$10.95

+9% in Reno, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / SD)

6.85%

4.2%

+2.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Reno vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Reno 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 Reno versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Reno or Sioux Falls?: Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).