Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
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.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $149k less ($101,500 vs $250,000)
29% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Rent averages $156/mo less ($809 vs $965)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Milder winters — January highs near 35°F vs 25°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $28,650/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 2.3%)
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Households earn $28,650 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (2.3%)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
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
Erie
Violent Crime
29% lower
375.6 vs 526.7 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$149k less
$101,500 vs $250,000
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 91.5 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$28,650
$71,785 vs $43,135/yr
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
2.3% vs 6.8% unemployment
Sioux Falls
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 84.8°F vs 81.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $250,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $965 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ 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 | B- (90) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 45.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories. Erie 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 Erie to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $250,000 median home), income ($43,135 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Sioux Falls, SD are about 848 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.