Moving from St. Paul, MN to Sioux Falls, SD
It is a 240 mi drive, roughly 4h 53m, between St. Paul, MN and Sioux Falls, SD. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
240 mi · 4h 53m by car · MN → SD
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → SD |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 169, MN 60, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 77.605 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Sioux Falls at 90.631 vs St. Paul at 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul —, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Paul | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 47°F |
| January avg low | 9°F | 7°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 28.3" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Paul (46.5°F) and Sioux Falls (46.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.39 |
Median household incomes in St. Paul ($73,055) and Sioux Falls ($74,714) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sioux Falls MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,940 | $40,110 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 16,710 | $67,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,250 | $37,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,420 | $29,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $39,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and South Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Dakota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 165,960 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 13.5% lower than St. Paul (90.631 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Sioux Falls?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 240 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $73,055 in St. Paul — a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 240 mi and the route typically takes 4h 53m via US 169 and MN 60. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN · Sioux Falls, SD.