Is it cheaper to live in Sioux Falls or Tacoma?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Sioux Falls versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Sioux Falls or Tacoma?

Sioux Falls is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sioux Falls vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 11% higher in Tacoma, WA. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Sioux Falls, SD

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$825

$1,178

+43% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,332

+53% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,000

$1,693

+69% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,237

$2,094

+69% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,400

$454,600

+68% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$74,714

$83,857

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,970

$72,610

+51% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.3 yr

+2.2 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

60.0%

56.5%

+3.5 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.4%

33.5%

+3.9 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

17.0 min

29.0 min

+12.0 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

526.7

1,064.4

+102% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,927.1

5,695.2

+95% in Tacoma, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.8°F

52.1°F

+6.3°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

26.4 in

43.0 in

+16.6 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

14.9

+5% in Sioux Falls, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.95

$20.41

+86% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / WA)

4.2%

6.5%

+2.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Sioux Falls vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Sioux Falls or Tacoma?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Sioux Falls than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Sioux Falls versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Sioux Falls or Tacoma?: Sioux Falls is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).