Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754
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 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Salem, OR
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 25°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Sioux Falls
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Homes cost $100k less ($250,000 vs $349,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (2.3%)
Rent averages $259/mo less ($965 vs $1,224)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.3)
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
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$4,245
$71,785 vs $67,540/yr
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$100k less
$250,000 vs $349,500
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
2.3% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 16 of 23 categories. Salem 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 Salem to Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $250,000 median home), income ($67,540 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,299 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.