Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Miami, FL
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories
Miami
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,858
Violent Crime Index
125⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
443,665 ✓ 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
Population
193,401
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Miami, FL
Pros
10% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Milder winters — January highs near 74°F vs 25°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $433,900
Higher rents — median is $1,494/mo
Violent crime (473.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $16,927/yr
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Homes cost $184k less ($250,000 vs $433,900)
Rent averages $529/mo less ($965 vs $1,494)
Households earn $16,927 more per year on average
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
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
Miami
Violent Crime
10% lower
473.3 vs 526.7 per 100k
Miami
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 87.8°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$16,927
$71,785 vs $54,858/yr
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$184k less
$250,000 vs $433,900
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
2.3% vs 5.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $433,900⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,494⚠ High | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,858 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.2 min⚠ High | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.4:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.8% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MIAMI-DADE | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 73.6°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 87.8°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.2" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 443,665 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 39.7 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.1% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.5% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.3% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories. Miami 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 Miami to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($433,900 vs $250,000 median home), income ($54,858 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Miami, FL and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,539 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.