San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
San Diego
50.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 50.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.9% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.5% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.9% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 27.7 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 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, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA