Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $333,043 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 405 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 27.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Saint Paul, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Saint Paul, MNChicago, IL vs Saint Paul, MNHouston, TX vs Saint Paul, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Saint Paul, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Saint Paul, MN