Performance
Score Breakdown
Sioux Falls
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% higher compared to Sioux Falls.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sioux Falls's average rent is
24% higher than Las Cruces's.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,327 | $1,068 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $248 | $198 | +25% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,345 | $1,986 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sioux Falls offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sioux Falls 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 $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,182 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $75,970 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sioux Falls | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 34.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 38.0/10 | 34.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sioux Falls is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Las Cruces.
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 | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 224,676 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.30% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Las Cruces
Advantages
The cost of living in Las Cruces is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [9, 10, 35, 39]
Las Cruces offers a pleasant climate with abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities year-round. [4, 8, 12 in previous search, 28 in previous search]
The city has a thriving job market with consistent growth in key sectors like healthcare, education, and government. [4, 5, 7, 13, 17, 40]
Las Cruces was ranked 9th among small cities for overall economic growth in a 2025 study, indicating strong economic momentum. [29, 41]
The community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. [8, 24 in previous search, 30 in previous search]
Drawbacks
Las Cruces has a high crime rate, with violent crime reported to be 68% higher and property crime 153% higher than the national average in 2024. [20]
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low walkability score. [10, 11, 22]
Some residents report challenges with the quality and access to medical specialists and addiction treatment services. [8, 44 in previous search, 45 in previous search]
Average hourly earnings in Las Cruces are lower than the national average. [41 in previous search, 17]
Traffic congestion can lead to annual delays for drivers. [43 in previous search]
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
Las Cruces
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Sioux Falls and Las Cruces.
Open Cost Calculator