Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Houston
35.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Houston
22.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 35.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 22.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $333,043 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.9% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sioux Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
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