CostIndexUSA

Milwaukee, WI vs Sioux Falls, SD Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableSD
Sioux Falls
90.6
overall index
$1,225/mo rent

Sioux Falls is moderately cheaper than Milwaukee — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Milwaukee, you would need $74,800 in Sioux Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.1%
Milwaukee
97.1
Sioux Falls
77.6
🛒 Groceries+1.8%
Milwaukee
93.8
Sioux Falls
95.5
🚗 Transportation7.6%
Milwaukee
104.4
Sioux Falls
96.5
🏥 Healthcare7.5%
Milwaukee
94.4
Sioux Falls
87.3
Utilities11.9%
Milwaukee
91.6
Sioux Falls
80.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Milwaukee to see what you'd need to earn in Sioux Falls to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux Falls, SD
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Sioux Falls

Formula: salary × (90.6 ÷ 96.9) = salary × 0.9350. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Home Price
$363,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

Sioux Falls, SD

Median Home Price
$329,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
77.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.4×

Milwaukee has 20.1% lower housing costs compared to Sioux Falls.

Income & Job Market

Milwaukee, WI

Median Household Income
$77,000
Per Capita Income
$43,900
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
577,222
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationRetail

Sioux Falls, SD

Median Household Income
$76,200
Per Capita Income
$43,400
Unemployment Rate
2%
Population
192,517
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Sioux Falls, SD
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.