Sioux Falls SD vs Wichita KS — 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
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
10.0%
White
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 396,488 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,072 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,958 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $61,860 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,043 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 449 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2174 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.9% | 39.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.0°F | 57.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.7 in | 32.6 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sioux Falls, SDLos Angeles, CA vs Sioux Falls, SDChicago, IL vs Sioux Falls, SDHouston, TX vs Sioux Falls, SDPhoenix, AZ vs Sioux Falls, SDPhiladelphia, PA vs Sioux Falls, SD