Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Moving to Sioux Falls, SD: Relocation Guide

If you are relocating to Sioux Falls or the wider Sioux Empire, you do not need a stack of random tabs. You need clear local information and a REALTOR® who will walk the process with you.

I am Tyler Stunes, a REALTOR® with Amy Stockberger Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, Brandon, Tea, Hartford, Crooks and nearby communities. I first studied architectural engineering before real estate, and I still look at every home with an eye for how it is put together.

This guide pulls together what most people ask before they move: taxes, housing numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, where to start on areas and schools, how commute and travel work here, and how buying from out of state actually runs. When you are ready, contact me and we will map your timeline together.

Why people move here

South Dakota's tax setup is one of the clearest reasons people look at Sioux Falls.

  • No state income tax. The South Dakota Department of Revenue states that South Dakota does not impose a state income tax. (SD DOR: Taxes)

  • No state inheritance tax and no state estate tax. Same DOR page. (SD DOR: Taxes)

  • No personal property tax at the state level, per the Governor's Office of Economic Development. (SD GOED: Tax climate)

  • Sales tax is state plus city. South Dakota's state sales tax is 4.2%, and cities may add a municipal sales tax (generally up to 2%). In Sioux Falls, the municipal general sales tax rate is 2.00%, so the combined general rate is 6.2%. Nearby cities such as Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea, Hartford and Crooks also list a 2.00% municipal general rate on the DOR municipal tax table. (SD GOED: Tax climate; SD DOR: Municipal tax)

The city itself has grown. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Sioux Falls city population at 213,748 as of July 1, 2025, up 10.9% from the April 1, 2020 estimate base. (Census QuickFacts: Sioux Falls city, SD)

Healthcare is a major local employment and service base. Sanford Health and Avera Health both operate large systems with a strong presence in Sioux Falls. (Sanford Health; Avera Health)

The city of Sioux Falls maintains parks, trails and downtown amenities, including Falls Park on the Big Sioux River. (City of Sioux Falls)

Housing and cost overview

These housing and income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Sioux Falls city, South Dakota (ACS 2020-2024 unless noted). They are city medians, not a promise of what any one home will cost.

  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $292,400

  • Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 59.5%

  • Median gross rent: $1,035

  • Median selected monthly owner costs (with a mortgage): $1,727

  • Median household income (in 2024 dollars): $75,970

  • Mean travel time to work: 17.0 minutes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sioux Falls city, South Dakota

For current listings and what homes are actually asking today, start on the Buyers page or contact me with your price range and must-haves. I also publish market updates on the blog, including the November 2026 Sioux Falls housing market post.

Areas of the Sioux Empire

Where you live is your decision. My job is to give you good information and show you homes that fit your criteria: commute, home style, lot, budget and school district boundaries.

Start with the hub: Neighborhood Guides

Then open the individual guides:

  • Harrisburg - growing district, newer construction corridors

  • Brandon - Brandon Valley schools, I-90 access, parks and walkouts

  • Tea - newer homes near I-29

  • McKennan Park and central Sioux Falls - established homes near downtown, parks and hospitals

  • South Sioux Falls - newer housing, multiple district options, I-29 access

  • Hartford - West Central schools, parks, I-90 drive into the city

  • Crooks - smaller community north of the city, Tri-Valley schools

Related reading on the blog:

Schools

School district boundaries do not always match city limits. Confirm the district for any address you are considering before you write an offer. I do not rank or rate schools. Use the district sites and your own criteria.

Public districts that cover much of the area I work in:

When we tour, I can help you check district and attendance information for specific addresses. Enrollment and transfer rules are set by each district.

Commute and getting around

Census QuickFacts reports a mean travel time to work of 17.0 minutes for Sioux Falls city workers age 16 and over (2020-2024). (Census QuickFacts)

Most day-to-day travel is by car. I-29 and I-90 meet in Sioux Falls, which is why many buyers weigh north, south, east and west corridors against their workplace.

Air travel: Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is the local commercial airport. Its site states that five airlines currently provide scheduled passenger service, with connections to over 200 domestic cities as well as many international destinations. (Sioux Falls Regional Airport; Airlines and contact info)

Local bus: Sioux Area Metro (SAM) operates fixed-route bus service in Sioux Falls. Routes, fares and trip planning are on the Sioux Area Metro site.

Buying from out of state

Buying before you live here is common, and it is doable with a clear process.

  1. Talk first. Timeline, budget, commute, must-haves and deal-breakers. I explain how the metro is laid out so you can decide which areas to explore.

  2. Get pre-approved. You can work with a lender licensed for South Dakota from wherever you are now. See Mortgage Pre-Approval in the Sioux Empire.

  3. Tour smart. Video walk-throughs, live virtual tours and a focused in-person trip when you can make it. Details in Buying a House in Sioux Falls, SD from Out of State.

  4. Use a real timeline. Relocating to Sioux Falls, SD: A 60 to 90 Day Timeline breaks the move into phases: research, visit, offer, under contract and closing.

  5. First-time buyers. If this is your first purchase, start with First-Time Home Buyer Guide: Sioux Falls.

When you are ready to look at live inventory, go to Buyers or contact me.

Selling your current home

Many relocating buyers are also selling somewhere else. Timing the sale, the purchase and the move is the hard part. On this end, I can help you understand Sioux Empire pricing and timing so your next home is not a scramble.

If your current home is outside South Dakota, keep your listing agent there and use me for the Sioux Falls purchase. We can coordinate timelines so you are not stuck carrying two homes longer than you want.

FAQ

Do you work with people relocating to Sioux Falls from out of state?

Yes. I work with people moving to the Sioux Empire from out of state, and I treat that process differently than a local search. Before you visit, I can walk homes with you on video or virtual tour. When you are in town, we can set up community drives and showings so you get a feel for Sioux Falls and nearby cities. Contact me to start.

Does South Dakota have a state income tax?

No. The South Dakota Department of Revenue states that South Dakota does not impose a state income tax. (SD DOR)

What is a typical commute in Sioux Falls?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports a mean travel time to work of 17.0 minutes for Sioux Falls city (2020-2024). Your commute will depend on where you live and where you work. (Census QuickFacts)

How do I pick an area if I have never lived here?

Start with commute, home type, budget and school district boundaries. Use the Neighborhood Guides, then we narrow with listings and tours. Where you live is your decision. I provide information and options that match your criteria.

Can I buy a home in Sioux Falls before I move?

Yes. Many buyers get pre-approved, tour virtually, visit once or twice, and close before or right as they arrive. Read Buying from Out of State and the 60 to 90 Day Timeline.

Which school district will my address be in?

District lines do not always follow city limits. Check the district websites linked in the Schools section above, and confirm attendance areas for any specific address before you offer. I can help you verify that during the search.

How do I get started with you?

Email tyler@amystockberger.com, call or text 605.999.3522, or use the Contact page. Share your timeline, budget and what matters most in a home. Amy Stockberger Real Estate, 610 W 49th St, Sioux Falls, SD.

Ready to plan your move to Sioux Falls?

Tell me your timeline and what you need in a home. I will help you shortlist areas, set up tours (in person or virtual) and keep the process clear from first call to closing.

Top photo: Falls Park by Richard N Horne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons