Rochester, NY vs Sioux Falls, SD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Rochester
71.9
#953 nationally
Sioux Falls
75.5
#452 nationally
Sioux Falls leads in school rating (7.6 vs 4.2). Sioux Falls leads in median household income ($68,921 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in walk score (59 vs 38).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#953) | 75.5 (#452) |
| Population | 211,328 | 205,992 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,152 | $336,110 |
| Median Household Income | $42,124 | $68,921 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 38 |
| Crime Level | High | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | 4.2 | 7.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.1 | R+12.7 |
C-
71.9 Score
Rochester, NY
Flour City innovation hub
Median Home
$249,152
Population
211,328
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Northeast
View Rochester, NY →
C
75.5 Score
Sioux Falls, SD
Rising star of the Northern Plains
Median Home
$336,110
Population
205,992
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Midwest
View Sioux Falls, SD →