Quick answer
Sioux Falls costs $665/month less overall ($1,590 vs $2,255/mo). Sioux Falls also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.4%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Sioux Falls
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 20, 2026
Denver vs Sioux Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Denver | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,740 | $1,450 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,250 | $1,450 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $565K | $410K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 | $130 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $310 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,255 | $1,590 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 61/100 ✓ | 60/100 |
| Transit Score | 44/100 ✓ | 30/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Sioux Falls's 1BR averages $1,150/month vs $1,740 in Denver — a $590/month difference, or $7,080/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Sioux Falls charges None state income tax vs 4.4% in Denver. On an $80K salary that's a $3,520/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Sioux Falls are $410K vs $565K in Denver. At a 20% down payment, that's a $31,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Denver utilities run $15 more per month than Sioux Falls. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Denver, CO
Denver's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Denver
300 sunny days; dry winters with periodic snow (rarely extreme cold); hot low-humidity summers; 5,280 ft altitude affects nearly all newcomers for the first 1–3 weeks
Sioux Falls
Cold continental with brutally cold winters (-10°F average, 40+ inches snow), short warm summers (80°F), and extreme weather variability. Spring brings severe thunderstorms and hail.
Job Market
Denver top industries
Sioux Falls top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Denver if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a craft beer lovers
Move to Sioux Falls if…
- →You're a Banking and finance professionals
- →You're a Healthcare workers
- →You're a Families with young children
- →You're a Remote workers seeking low costs and stability
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Sioux Falls cheaper to live in?
Sioux Falls is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,590 in Sioux Falls vs $2,255 in Denver — a $665/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Denver or Sioux Falls?
Denver is more walkable with a Walk Score of 61/100 vs 60/100. Sioux Falls is more car-dependent.
Denver vs Sioux Falls: which has lower state income tax?
Sioux Falls has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,520/year vs Denver (4.4%).
Is Denver or Sioux Falls better for buying a home?
Sioux Falls has lower median home prices at $410K vs $565K in Denver — a $155,000 difference on the median home.