Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to St. Paul, MN
It is a 240 mi drive, roughly 4h 53m, between Sioux Falls, SD and St. Paul, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β 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 Β· 4h 53m by car Β· MN β SD
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β 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
| Sioux Falls | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
St. Paul runs about 15.7% more expensive overall than Sioux Falls β RPP 90.631 β 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 29.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 46.6Β°F vs 46.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.5 |
Household income lines up β $74,714 vs $73,055 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Dakota and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β 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 St. Paul compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 15.7% higher than Sioux Falls (104.822 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Sioux Falls, SD?
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.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% 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 β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· St. Paul, MN.