Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Greensboro, NC
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories
Greensboro
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$55,051
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
297,202 ✓ Larger
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785 ✓ Higher
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.
Greensboro, NC
Pros
Homes cost $53k less ($197,200 vs $250,000)
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 25°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (923.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $16,734/yr
Property crime (3383.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.5% vs 2.3%)
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
43% less violent crime than Greensboro
Households earn $16,734 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
Rent averages $83/mo less ($965 vs $1,048)
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
Greensboro
Median Home Value
$53k less
$197,200 vs $250,000
Greensboro
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$16,734
$71,785 vs $55,051/yr
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
43% lower
526.7 vs 923.7 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
2.3% vs 5.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $250,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,048 | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $55,051 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.4 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.7% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 210⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 243⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 161⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.9% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.1% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.9" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.1" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 297,202 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.6% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.6% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Greensboro's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories. Greensboro 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 Greensboro to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $250,000 median home), income ($55,051 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Greensboro, NC and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,031 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.