Jack Rivera best-worst Feb 7, 2026

What surprised you most about Sioux Falls?

OK so I'm a 51-year-old mechanic and Crime rate is something to consider — Sioux Falls sits at 483.2 per 100K. With a population of 198K, Sioux Falls is a mid-size city. Rent is about $993/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 6.7%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Sioux Falls? Thanks in advance! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.

5 upvotes

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Aria C. Feb 26, 2026

Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.

I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..

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