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

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

Sioux Falls, SD
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable
Long Beach, CA
$3,328/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (72% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Sioux Falls
SD
Long Beach
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)$3,793$3,328
1BR rent$1,250$2,400
Groceries (est.)$365$410
Transport (est.)$42$100
Utilities$155$148
Internet$60$68
Left after essentials$1,921/month$202/month
Sioux Falls (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Long Beach (CA rate: 9.3%).

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 Long Beach?

At $60K/year in Long Beach, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,328. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 72% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Sioux Falls leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,921/month vs $202/month in Long Beach.

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 — Sioux Falls vs Long Beach

$40K$50K$75K$80K$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