Quick answer
Sioux Falls costs $100/month less overall ($1,590 vs $1,690/mo). Sioux Falls also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.82%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines 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: April 23, 2026
Des Moines vs Sioux Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $410K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $130 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $310 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,590 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 60/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 30/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | 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 $1,150 in Des Moines — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Sioux Falls charges None state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $3,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $410K in Sioux Falls. At a 20% down payment, that's a $33,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $40 more per month than Sioux Falls. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
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
Des Moines top industries
Sioux Falls top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines 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 $1,690 in Des Moines — a $100/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls is more walkable with a Walk Score of 60/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Sioux Falls: which has lower state income tax?
Sioux Falls has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Sioux Falls better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $410K in Sioux Falls — a $165,000 difference on the median home.