Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 11 of 21 categories
Abilene
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3
Median Household Income
$71,785 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
193,401 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $88k less ($161,800 vs $250,000)
19% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 25°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $12,531/yr
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Households earn $12,531 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (2.3%)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $95/mo less ($965 vs $1,060)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (526.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2915.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 90.3 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
19% lower
424.5 vs 526.7 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$88k less
$161,800 vs $250,000
Abilene
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$12,531
$71,785 vs $59,254/yr
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
2.3% vs 2.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 90.3 |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $250,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 16.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 11 of 21 categories. Abilene wins 10 and Sioux Falls wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $250,000 median home), income ($59,254 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Sioux Falls, SD are about 783 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.