Salary Needed to Live in Sioux Falls as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $65,439/year to live comfortably in Sioux Falls, SD, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $65,439/year to live comfortably in Sioux Falls, SD. The bare-minimum salary is $54,827/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,931.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,381/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,453/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$65,439
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$54,827
$4,569/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,381
23% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Sioux Falls
| Expense | Sioux Falls | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $880 | $1,641 | -46% |
| Groceries | $321 | $320 | 0% |
| Utilities | $202 | $225 | -10% |
| Transportation | $379 | $421 | -10% |
| Car Insurance | $176 | $211 | -17% |
| Health Insurance | $534 | $630 | -15% |
| Internet | $60 | $65 | -8% |
| Phone (x2) | $129 | $140 | -8% |
| Dining & Social | $414 | $450 | -8% |
| Entertainment | $166 | $180 | -8% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Total Monthly | $3,381 | $4,413 | -23% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,381
Target savings (12%):$550/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,931
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$65,439
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$880
1-2BR Apartment rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus SD state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$550/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
92/100
Sioux Falls is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $880/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $889/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $54,827/year as the survival floor and $65,439/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Sioux Falls
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Sioux Falls?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $65,439/year ($5,453/month gross) to live comfortably in Sioux Falls with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Sioux Falls?
A 1-2br apartment in Sioux Falls costs approximately $880/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Sioux Falls affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Sioux Falls is 23% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).