City Comparison
Sioux Falls vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sioux Falls scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sioux Falls
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% higher compared to Sioux Falls.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sioux Falls's average rent is
45% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,327 | $917 | +45% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $248 | $249 | -0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $125 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,345 | $1,861 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elyria 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 $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,182 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $75,970 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| 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
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Sioux Falls scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sioux Falls leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 38.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sioux Falls is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Elyria.
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 | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 224,676 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.30% | % |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.40% |
| 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.
Elyria
Advantages
The cost of living in Elyria is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Elyria boasts a high livability score and ample local amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and parks.
The city's crime rate is lower than the national average, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Housing in Elyria is notably affordable, with a median property value significantly below the national average.
Elyria offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The employment sector in Elyria has received a low grade, indicating challenges in the job market.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Some residents perceive a lack of nightlife and entertainment options for adults, describing the city as 'boring' for that demographic.
The city faces issues with road quality, including bad streets and potholes.
Shopping opportunities have been noted as dissipating from what was once a booming city.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sioux Falls
#11South Dakota, USA
71.0 / 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
Elyria
#141Ohio, USA
47.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
13.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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