Chicago, IL → Sioux Falls, SD
You'd keep $570 more a month in Sioux Falls
+$6,840 a year for the same registered nurse, the same household size, and the same number of bedrooms.
| Per month | Chicago | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $8,208 | $7,270 | −$938 |
| Income and payroll tax | $2,130 | $1,457 | −$673 |
| Take-home pay | $6,079 | $5,813 | −$265 |
| Rent | $1,828 | $1,005 | −$823 |
| Getting around | $392 | $539 | +$147 |
| Groceries | $408 | $364 | −$44 |
| Healthcare | $459 | $410 | −$49 |
| Utilities | $255 | $228 | −$27 |
| Everything else | $357 | $319 | −$38 |
| Left over | $2,380 | $2,950 | +$570 |
To break even in Sioux Falls, you'd need to earn
$77,500
Household gross, versus $98,500 today. That's the salary that leaves you exactly as much at the end of the month as Chicago does now.
The tax difference alone
+$4,738
A year, in state and local income tax. South Dakota has no wage income tax.
Chicago, IL in full
World-class city amenities at Midwest home prices, funded by 2.1% property tax.
Sioux Falls, SD in full
No income tax, an 18-minute commute, and nothing to do in February.
The reverse move
Same two cities, but starting from Sioux Falls on Sioux Falls wages.
Sioux Falls → Chicago →Rent is Zillow's asking rent for each metro; taxes and living costs are modelled. An estimate, not a quote or tax advice. How this is calculated.