Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Orlando, FL
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories
Orlando
Florida
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
16
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.
Orlando, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 25°F
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Rent averages $544/mo less ($965 vs $1,509)
37% less violent crime than Orlando
Homes cost $83k less ($250,000 vs $332,700)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
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
Orlando
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$5,493
$71,785 vs $66,292/yr
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
37% lower
526.7 vs 835.8 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$83k less
$250,000 vs $332,700
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
2.3% vs 5.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $332,700⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,509⚠ High | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,292 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 192⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.7% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 91.4% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,738 ✓ Larger | 193,401 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.2% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Orlando's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories. Orlando wins 7 and Sioux Falls wins 16. 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 Orlando to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($332,700 vs $250,000 median home), income ($66,292 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Orlando, FL and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,352 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.