Charlotte NC vs Sioux Falls SD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 34.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 405 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA