Portland ME 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)
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- 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
Portland
68,505
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Portland
80.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Portland
9.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Sioux Falls
1873
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 405 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1873 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 36.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.8% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Sioux Falls. Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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