Sioux Falls SD vs Winston-Salem 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
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 118,578 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $46,062 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $59,120 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Sioux Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,043 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
405
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1999 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.9% | 42.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.1% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.4% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.8% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
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