Can I Afford to Live in Sioux Falls vs Fort Wayne on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Sioux Falls, SD
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (25% of take-home)
Comfortable
Fort Wayne, IN
$4,843/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Sioux Falls
SD
Fort Wayne
IN
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,057$4,843
1BR rent$1,250$1,000
Groceries (est.)$365$353
Transport (est.)$42$42
Utilities$155$155
Internet$60$58
Left after essentials$3,185/month$3,235/month
Sioux Falls (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Fort Wayne (IN rate: 3.2%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Sioux Falls?

At $80K/year in Sioux Falls, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 25% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Fort Wayne?

At $80K/year in Fort Wayne, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,843. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Fort Wayne leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,235/month vs $3,185/month in Sioux Falls.

Can I afford to live alone in Sioux Falls on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Sioux Falls, rent takes 25% of your take-home, leaving $3,185/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Sioux Falls vs Fort Wayne

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only