Performance
Score Breakdown
Sioux Falls
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sioux Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Cincinnati.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,327 | $1,410 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $248 | $178 | +39% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,345 | $2,451 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sioux Falls is estimated at
$61,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,182 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $75,970 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sioux Falls has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 38.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Sioux Falls.
From a growth perspective, Sioux Falls is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sioux Falls has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 224,676 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.30% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sioux Falls
Advantages
Violent crime per capita reached a five-year low in 2025, and property crime decreased by 26% from 2024 to 2025.
The cost of living in Sioux Falls is approximately 12.5% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 24.1% cheaper.
Sioux Falls was ranked the third-least-stressed city in America for 2025.
The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls was 2.00% in June 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Sanford USD Medical Center was ranked the #1 hospital in South Dakota for 2024-2025 and recognized among the World's Best Hospitals.
Drawbacks
Despite overall crime decreases, the city's safety grade was D in 2024, with a violent crime rate of 526.7 per 100K residents.
The city has minimal public transportation options and a low walkability score of 38, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the national average, at 3.9% more.
While overall job growth is strong, the Sioux Falls area gained an average of only 50 jobs per month in 2025, which was the lowest since 2025 (excluding pandemic years).
Average home care costs are high, with in-home support listed at $8,389 per month in 2024.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sioux Falls
#5South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,327
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
34.0/10
Walkability
38.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.30%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
82
Business
80
Cincinnati
#49Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Sioux Falls and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator