16 Pros and Cons of Living in Sioux Falls, SD

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Are you considering moving to Sioux Falls, SD?

Sioux Falls is one of the biggest towns in the state and provides residents with an excellent quality of life.

Before finalizing your decision to move to Sioux Falls, there’s a lot to learn about the city, including all the pros and cons.

This guide will provide the information you need to help you determine whether Sioux Falls is an ideal choice for you and your family.

Pros of Living in Sioux Falls, SD

With nearly 190,000 people living in Sioux Falls, there’s a lot to love about this city.

Here are some pros of living in Sioux Falls.

1. Plenty of Jobs

Sioux Falls’s economy is thriving.

It’s full of job opportunities.

A study conducted in 2020 regarding the hottest job market in the U.S. placed Sioux Falls at number three for the best cities for young professionals.

Following that, in 2021, Sioux Falls was on the list of the top ten best places to live in the country.

Sioux Falls has an unemployment rate of 2.30%, which is much lower than the national average.

The poverty rate sits at 10.4%.

2. Affordable Location

Who doesn’t want to live in a city that provides a high quality of life at an affordable price?

If this sounds like a dream for you, Sioux Falls may be a great place to live.

The cost of living index is nearly 11% less than the national average.

This means that you’ll spend almost $11,400 on goods and services in Sioux City, compared to the national average.

While the cost of living in Sioux Falls is slightly higher than the rest of the state, it’s much cheaper than other cities in the country.

3. Satisfying Tax Rates

Another perk of living in Sioux Falls is the tax rate.

There is no income tax in South Dakota, which means residents don’t have to live with a heavy tax burden.

As a resident of Sioux Falls, you are only responsible for paying property and sales taxes.

Property taxes are 1.43%, and sales taxes are 6.5%.

Again, these numbers are higher than in other parts of South Dakota but much lower than the national average.

4. Affordable Housing Prices

The average value of homes in Sioux Falls has increased quite a bit since last year.

However, homes are still very affordable in Sioux Falls.

The median value of the homes in Sioux Falls is $262,697.

Compared to other cities in the U.S., this price is significantly lower.

You’ll also find affordable rentals in Sioux Falls.

The only downside of purchasing a home in Sioux Falls is that many of them are older.

This means that you may need to make some major investments to repair or remodel your home.

5. Great for Recreational Activities

Sioux Falls is simply beautiful.

You may not find mountains or beaches in Sioux Falls, but you’ll certainly find plenty of fields and natural parks.

If you’re an avid hunter, you’ll be glad to know that there’s plenty of space to do just that.

Sioux Falls has nearly 80 local parks where you can take part in activities such as picnics, hiking, jogging, and much more.

So, if you enjoy nature, consider visiting Falls Park, Butterfly House & Aquarium, and Good Earth State Park.

6. Experience all Four Seasons

All seasons in Sioux Falls are eloquent.

The summers are quite humid and allow you to experience various activities.

The fall brings plenty of rainfall but also allows you to enjoy the beautiful changes in color.

The winters in Sioux Falls can get bitterly cold, with plenty of snow.

The average amount of snowfall in Sioux Falls per year is 45.3 inches.

7. Perfect for Entertainment

If you’re looking forward to having a good time in Sioux Falls, there are plenty of activities and entertainment.

For instance, Sioux Falls has free concerts and live music venues every first Friday of the month in the downtown area.

There are also many restaurants and shopping centers in the city.

Whether you are looking for casinos, golf courses, or escape rooms, Sioux Falls has them all.

8. Exciting Nightlife

Besides offering plenty of entertainment options, Sioux Falls also has a fantastic nightlife scene.

Over the last several years, the nightlife scene has continued to grow.

So, if you’re looking to watch your favorite teams play at a sports bar or do some dancing, you’ll find it all right here in the city.

Also, the city has diverse options for food, with different cuisines to choose from.

Cons of Living in Sioux Falls, SD

1. Weather Can be Agonizing

Winters can be extremely uncomfortable in Sioux Falls.

This is mainly due to the frigid cold temperatures the town receives.

Many times, the temperatures struggle to make it past the single digits.

Furthermore, you will have to deal with a lot of snow.

Sioux Falls receives nearly 45 inches of snowfall per year.

This could be a plus for those who enjoy winter activities.

Summers in Sioux Falls are humid and hot, which can also be quite unbearable.

2. Tornadoes Are Common

Sioux Falls is an area that is at high risk of tornadoes throughout the year.

Many of these tornadoes can even be severe.

The last tornado that caused severe damage to various buildings and a hospital occurred in September 2019.

This tornado was categorized as an EF-2.

But besides tornadoes, the city of Sioux Falls is prone to lightning, high winds, and heavy rain.

3. Median Income Is Low

The median income levels in Sioux Falls are relatively low, which could be a huge disappointment for those looking to move here.

The average median household income is $59,912, despite having a low unemployment rate and a thriving economy.

This number is far below the national average but could be due to the low minimum wage in the state.

The minimum wage in South Dakota is only $10.80.

4. High Crime Rate

South Dakota has a high crime rate.

While this may seem unusual, both property crime and total crime rates are well above the national average.

Sioux Falls may not be safe after all, depending on the area that you choose to live in.

The violent crime rate is 4.83 incidents per 1000 residents.

This is nearly 27% higher than the national average.

So, if you’re thinking about moving here, your chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 29.

5. Having a Car Is a Must

Living in Sioux Falls requires you to have a vehicle.

Public transportation in the city is limited.

The transit score is only 17, which may be disappointing for many.

However, Sioux Falls is walkable.

Depending on the neighborhood you live in, the area may be even more walkable compared to others.

The good news is that traffic is relatively light, so you won’t have to worry about congestion during your commute.

6. Remote City

Sioux Falls is isolated from the rest of the state.

If you plan on living here, be prepared to rely heavily on Sioux Falls for everything you need.

The closest major city is over 150 miles away.

So if you plan on traveling to another big city, it can take nearly three hours to arrive there.

Fortunately, you can count on finding your basic needs within the city itself.

7. High Cost of Food & Groceries

If you are big on budgeting, you will have to be extra careful if you live in Sioux Falls.

This is because the cost of food and groceries is about 0.1% higher than the national average.

While it may not sound like much, it adds up over time.

You may have to make slight adjustments in the way you purchase food and groceries in Sioux Falls.

8. No Major League Teams

Sioux Falls has no major league professional sports teams.

There are many sports teams in other big cities close by, but it’s not the same as cheering for your own hometown team.

If you don’t mind not having any professional sports teams in the city, this shouldn’t be a huge deal breaker for you.

But for those who do mind, you may have to travel a nice distance to see a game.

Pros and Cons of Living in Sioux Falls, SD – Summary Table

Sioux Falls Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Sioux Falls Safety Review

Safety Index:

76

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW