Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls and the surrounding area are consistently ranked among America’s best places to live, work and play, so there’s a lot to look forward to about moving in. But before you get too deep into packing and loading up the moving truck, consider the following realities of living in Sioux Falls.

1. Your Money Goes Further Living in Sioux Falls

Affordability is one of the best things Sioux Falls residents have going for them. Pretty much everything is less expensive than other cities in the Midwest and across the country. The city boasts that all categories of cost-of-living expenses are at or below the national average, with real estate prices 7% lower, transportation 15% lower, and utilities almost 20% lower. That means you can generally afford more house for the same amount of money by living in Sioux Falls, SD. And that’s just one of several benefits of being a Sioux Falls homeowner.

Then there’s the reduced tax burden. The low cost of living in Sioux Falls is enhanced by the fact that South Dakota imposes no personal income or property taxes, and its 4.2% state sales tax is lower than surrounding states’ too, with the base sales tax rate at 6.875% in Minnesota and 6% in Iowa.

2. Business Is Booming in Sioux Falls

With such a business-friendly climate and historically low unemployment, it’s no surprise that Sioux Falls has been lauded as one of America’s fastest-growing cities. It melds a history of agriculture (think Smithfield Foods) and pioneering healthcare (Sanford and Avera) with a burgeoning financial district (Wells Fargo, Citi, and First PREMIER) and a strategic location for manufacturing and trade at the intersection of Interstates 90 and 29.

It’s also an epicenter for learning, with top-notch schools throughout the community and competitive colleges like Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls.

And from that foundation comes a great variety of coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, and services.

3. The Outdoors Are Wilder Around Sioux Falls

If you’re moving to South Dakota from the east, you’ll notice the transition from the Midwest’s trademark prairie to Sioux Falls’ picturesque rolling hills along the Big Sioux River. Parks and recreation are plentiful, hunting is serious sport, and nature can turn on a dime in any of its four distinct seasons, unleashing the occasional thunderstorm in summer and blizzard in winter.

Granted, the distinction only increases as you move west across the dividing line of the Missouri River (where East River meets West River) toward Rapid City, home of the rugged Black Hills. But Sioux Falls is well-known for its outdoor activities. Among the most popular local destinations are the city’s namesake Falls Park, its largest park: Great Bear Recreation Park, one of its newest: Good Earth State Park, and the Great Plains Zoo. Recreational trails abound throughout the city and Minnehaha County.

4. Local Is Better for Living in Sioux Falls

The many things to do in Sioux Falls are enhanced or even highlighted by local business offerings, especially when it comes to food and drink, music and the arts. Loyalty and customer service are core Midwestern values on display throughout the Sioux Falls area but especially downtown, the epicenter of Sioux Falls nightlife. And like many of South Dakota’s neighbors, you’ll find people of all walks of life coming together to celebrate rural life at the annual Sioux Empire Fair.

The city boasts no professional sports team, but you’ll find strong support for its AAA baseball club, the Sioux Falls Canaries; arena football team, the Sioux Falls Storm; USHL junior hockey squad, the Sioux Falls Stampede; and its college and high school teams.

To get around Sioux Falls, you’ll likely need to own a car, though traffic isn’t bad compared to other major US cities.

Surprised by any of these Sioux Falls realities? Check out our other article debunking the typical Sioux Falls stereotypes.