Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Sioux Falls, SD
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
193,401
Washington
District of Columbia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Homes cost $455k less ($250,000 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $852/mo less ($965 vs $1,817)
43% less violent crime than Washington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (2.3%)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $29,937/yr
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
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $29,937 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 25°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Sioux Falls
Key Differences at a Glance
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
43% lower
526.7 vs 925.9 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$455k less
$250,000 vs $705,000
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
2.3% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$29,937
$101,722 vs $71,785/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 84.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Sioux Falls, SD | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $250,000 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $965 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,785 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 25.3°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.8°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 45.3" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 193,401 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.0% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.8% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Sioux Falls's cost of living index is 90.3 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 14 of 23 categories. Sioux Falls wins 14 and Washington wins 9. 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 Sioux Falls to Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($250,000 vs $705,000 median home), income ($71,785 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Sioux Falls, SD and Washington, DC are about 1,071 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.