Can I Afford to Live in Sioux Falls vs Jackson on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses โ€” based on Q1 2026 data.

Sioux Falls, SD
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
Jackson, MS
$3,558/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (28% of take-home)
Manageable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Sioux Falls
SD
Jackson
MS
Monthly take-home (est.)$3,793$3,558
1BR rent$1,250$1,000
Groceries (est.)$365$346
Transport (est.)$42$38
Utilities$155$178
Internet$60$55
Left after essentials$1,921/month$1,941/month
Sioux Falls (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Jackson (MS rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Sioux Falls?

At $60K/year in Sioux Falls, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 33% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $60K a good salary in Jackson?

At $60K/year in Jackson, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,558. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 28% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

Jackson leaves you with more money after core expenses โ€” $1,941/month vs $1,921/month in Sioux Falls.

Can I afford to live alone in Sioux Falls on $60K?

Yes. At $60K in Sioux Falls, rent takes 33% of your take-home, leaving $1,921/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands โ€” Sioux Falls vs Jackson

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more โ€” 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 ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only