Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories
Anaheim
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
193,401
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 25°F
Households earn $16,753 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Cost of living runs 25% higher than Sioux Falls
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Homes cost $464k less ($250,000 vs $713,600)
Rent averages $993/mo less ($965 vs $1,958)
25% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
12% less violent crime than Anaheim
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (526.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Anaheim by $16,753/yr
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
Anaheim
Median Income
$16,753
$88,538 vs $71,785/yr
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
25% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
12% lower
526.7 vs 596.2 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$464k less
$250,000 vs $713,600
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
2.3% vs 5.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 ✓ Higher | $71,785 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 25% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories. Anaheim wins 9 and Sioux Falls wins 14. 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 Anaheim to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $250,000 median home), income ($88,538 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,311 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.