Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Madison
73.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Madison
7.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 73.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Sioux Falls
1873
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 405 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1873 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Sioux Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.9% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.8% | Sioux Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sioux Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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