Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 12 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
12
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.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $137k less ($112,600 vs $250,000)
13% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 25°F
Rent averages $93/mo less ($872 vs $965)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Sioux Falls
Cons
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $25,050/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 2.3%)
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Households earn $25,050 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (2.3%)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 92°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
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 90.3 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
13% lower
456.0 vs 526.7 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$137k less
$112,600 vs $250,000
Brownsville
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$25,050
$71,785 vs $46,735/yr
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
2.3% vs 6.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 90.3 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $250,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $965 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 60.0% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 24.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 12 of 23 categories. Brownsville 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 Brownsville to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $250,000 median home), income ($46,735 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,213 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.