Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Richmond
43.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 43.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Sioux Falls
1873
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 405 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1873 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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