Sioux Falls SD vs Wilmington NC — 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
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 250,887 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $57,673 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,074 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $59,120 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,043 | $419,326 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
405
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1999 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.4% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.0°F | 63.8°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.7 in | 58.4 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sioux Falls
N/A
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Wilmington, NC | 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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