Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 12 of 23 categories
Arlington
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469 ✓ Larger
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
193,401
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
8% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 25°F
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Sioux Falls
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 2.3%)
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Rent averages $332/mo less ($965 vs $1,297)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Arlington
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
Arlington
Violent Crime
8% lower
482.9 vs 526.7 per 100k
Arlington
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
2.3% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 24.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 12 of 23 categories. Arlington wins 11 and Sioux Falls wins 12. 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 Arlington to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $250,000 median home), income ($71,736 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Sioux Falls, SD are about 749 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.