Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 17 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
17
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.
Providence, RI
Pros
47% less violent crime than Sioux Falls
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 25°F
Cons
Median income trails Sioux Falls by $10,420/yr
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Sioux Falls
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 2.3%)
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (2.3%)
Rent averages $249/mo less ($965 vs $1,214)
Homes cost $43k less ($250,000 vs $293,000)
Households earn $10,420 more per year on average
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
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
Providence
Violent Crime
47% lower
276.7 vs 526.7 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$10,420
$71,785 vs $61,365/yr
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$43k less
$250,000 vs $293,000
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
2.3% vs 7.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.8% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 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 17 of 23 categories. Providence wins 6 and Sioux Falls wins 17. 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 Providence to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $250,000 median home), income ($61,365 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,286 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.