Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 13 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785
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.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 25°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Rent averages $532/mo less ($965 vs $1,497)
Homes cost $132k less ($250,000 vs $381,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.5 pts lower (2.3%)
20% less violent crime than Modesto
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
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
Modesto
Median Income
$1,590
$73,375 vs $71,785/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
20% lower
526.7 vs 655.7 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$132k less
$250,000 vs $381,800
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
5.5 pp lower
2.3% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $71,785 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 8.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 13 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 9 and Sioux Falls wins 13. 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 Modesto to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $250,000 median home), income ($73,375 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,332 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.