Sioux Falls SD vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
13.9%
White
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 186,419 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 29.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 60.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,643 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,371 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $59,120 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 49.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,043 | $468,328 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 450 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2150 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 16.6% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.0°F | 71.3°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sioux Falls
N/A
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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