Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rising star of the Northern Plains
U.S. News (2025)
#21 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#4 Best Small Cities for Business
WhereAtHome Score
75.5
Cout of 100
Overview
Sioux Falls has emerged as one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, offering no state income tax and a strong healthcare sector. The Big Sioux River and Falls Park provide natural beauty, while low crime and good schools attract families. Cold winters are the main trade-off.
Key Highlights
- No state income tax
- Falls Park and Big Sioux River
- Strong healthcare sector (Sanford, Avera)
- Low crime and good schools
- Growing downtown and cultural scene
- Very affordable cost of living
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Minnehaha County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
85°F
Winter Low
8°F
Annual Rainfall
26"
Sunny Days
213
Amenities & Infrastructure
70+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
4 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
2 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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