Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Seattle
61.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.9% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.5% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 15.7% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.9% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.8% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 13.9% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 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, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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