Sample data. These scores are illustrative placeholders, not real measurements — live scores arrive when the data pipeline runs.
Where Sioux Falls lands on the scale
Every city is graded on the same 0–100 Fun Score, split into five bands from quiet to exceptional — here is where Sioux Falls sits.
How the Fun Score adds up
The Fun Score is one number with two halves — 16 things that make Sioux Falls fun, minus 7 that wear it down. Here is the arithmetic.
16 things that lift the score, blended onto 0–100
7 things that wear it down, blended onto 0–100
- Fun factors lift it
- –
- Drawbacks pull it down
- –
- Raw composite
- –
- Fun Score placed on the published 0–100 scale
- –
Only 40% of the drawback total is subtracted — even a great city can carry a few flaws. Every factor below spells its contribution out as an equation — score times weight. Those 23 contributions are the building blocks behind the two totals above (each is rounded for display).
The Fun breakdown
Every factor is scored 0–100 against the other cities in the index.
Sioux Falls's strongest factors are Sports, City Vibe and Outdoors. Its heaviest drawbacks are Air Quality, Weather Extremes and Crime.
On every bar, the marker shows the typical city — the median score across the whole index.
What lifts the score
- Eats –
Restaurants, food halls and the depth of the dining scene.
Measured from OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Drinks –
Bars, breweries, cocktail rooms and the nightlife spread.
Measured from OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Coffee –
Cafés and the strength of the third-place coffee culture.
Measured from OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
-
Music venues and how often live shows actually happen.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues.
-
Notable people the city is known for, plus headliner acts that tour through.
Measured from SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended).
- Outdoors –
Parks, beaches and easy access to nature.
Measured from OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities.
- Culture –
Museums, theatres, galleries and arts institutions.
Measured from OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Events –
Festivals, fairs and a packed year-round events calendar.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events.
- Sports –
Pro and college teams and the game-day energy around them.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres.
-
Escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke spots.
Measured from OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
-
How much the city is talked about and searched for — news and search attention.
Measured from GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged).
- Climate –
How often the weather is good enough to get outside.
Measured from NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days.
-
How well a person without a car can move around the city.
Measured from GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share.
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Density of fun within walking distance — sidewalks, intersections, mixed-use blocks.
Measured from EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city).
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Density of college and university students — the engine behind a college town.
Measured from NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data.
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Protected bike lanes and a working public bikeshare system.
Measured from OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog.
What weighs it down
- Crime –
Reported violent and property crime rates.
Measured from FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals.
- Traffic –
Congestion and the time lost to commuting.
Measured from US Census commute-time data (ACS).
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Recent particulate matter and ozone levels — a trailing-week air-quality average.
Measured from EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average).
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Exposure to natural hazards and severe events.
Measured from FEMA National Risk Index.
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Punishing heat, cold and storm extremes.
Measured from NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data.
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Cost of living and housing pressure on residents.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate.
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What a typical night out actually costs in this metro.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services.
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Cities like Sioux Falls
The Sioux Falls read Free
A written read on Sioux Falls, grounded in the data
A plain-English analysis of why Sioux Falls scores the way it does — its standout strengths, where it falls short, who it suits best, and the cities most like it. Every figure is drawn from the same 23 factors on this page: it narrates the measured data, it never invents a number.
Sioux Falls, SD: Some Fun, Great Sports, and Low Costs
Sioux Falls, SD earns a Fun Score of 39, placing it in the "Some Fun" category, and is tied for #95 out of 134 cities nationally, standing out for its remarkably low going-out costs.
Why it scores high
Sioux Falls truly shines in its Sports scene, boasting a strong score of 77 and ranking tied for #31 nationally out of 134 cities. This indicates a vibrant environment for both professional and collegiate games, as well as ample access to stadiums, sports centers, and fitness facilities (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres). For residents and visitors, this means a wide array of athletic events to attend and numerous opportunities to participate in sports and fitness activities.
The city also presents a positive City Vibe, scoring 57 and ranking #58 nationally (GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)). This suggests a generally upbeat atmosphere and a city that captures public interest, contributing to a pleasant overall feeling for those living or visiting there.
Furthermore, Sioux Falls offers solid opportunities for enjoying the Outdoors, with a score of 50 and ranking tied for #67 nationally (OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities). This indicates a decent amount of green space, parks, and natural areas, providing residents with places to relax, exercise, and connect with nature.
Beyond these strengths, Sioux Falls stands out for its affordability. The city scores exceptionally well for Going-Out Cost at 92, ranking tied for #1 nationally out of 134 cities (Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services). This means that entertainment, dining out, and other leisure activities are significantly more affordable here compared to most other cities. Additionally, Economic Strain is remarkably low, with a score of 98, tying for #3 nationally (Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate). This suggests a favorable economic environment with low unemployment and manageable living costs, making it an attractive place for those seeking financial stability. The city also experiences very little Traffic, scoring 92 and ranking tied for #11 nationally (US Census commute-time data (ACS)), indicating easy commutes and less time spent stuck in congestion.
Where it falls short
While Sioux Falls excels in several areas, its Eats scene could be more vibrant, scoring 14 and ranking tied for #115 nationally (OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality). This suggests that the variety and quality of dining options might be more limited compared to other cities. Similarly, the Climate presents a challenge, with a low score of 15 and a national rank of #114 (NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days). This indicates a relatively small number of comfortable days throughout the year, suggesting residents may experience more extreme weather conditions.
Furthermore, the Air Quality in Sioux Falls scores 17, ranking tied for #111 nationally (EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)). This lower score suggests that the air quality might not be as consistently good as in other regions, which could be a consideration for residents with respiratory sensitivities. The city also faces challenges with Weather Extremes, scoring 19 and ranking #109 nationally (NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data), implying a higher likelihood of severe weather events.
Who it's for
Sioux Falls, SD is an ideal city for individuals and families who prioritize an affordable lifestyle, a strong sense of community, and a good balance of outdoor recreation and sports. It's particularly well-suited for those who appreciate a less congested environment and are willing to embrace a climate with distinct seasons, perhaps valuing the lower cost of living and strong sports culture over a bustling culinary scene or consistently mild weather.
Cities like it
- Bismarck, ND is similar in its overall fun score and regional characteristics.
- Oklahoma City, OK shares a comparable overall fun score and may offer similar lifestyle aspects.
- Fort Wayne, IN also has a similar overall fun score, suggesting it might appeal to a similar demographic.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services
- Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate
- EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)
- EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city)
- FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals
- FEMA National Risk Index
- GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)
- GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share
- NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data
- NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days
- NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data
- OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap caf\u00e9 counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities
- OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog
- OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues
- US Census commute-time data (ACS)
- SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended)
This narrative is generated by AI from CityFunIndex's measured data. The Fun Scores, ranks and raw values are computed deterministically; the wording around them is the model's. Verify any figure against the linked city page.
Go deeper
Use the data
Sioux Falls’s Fun Score and every factor score are available through the licensed CityFunIndex API — clean JSON, metered one call per city record, behind a paid key.
Cite this page
Paste-ready credit line for journalists, researchers and bloggers. Carries the score, the algorithm version and the canonical URL so readers can verify it themselves.
CityFunIndex Fun Score for Sioux Falls, SD: 40/100 (v2.1.0-dev). https://cityfunindex.com/city/sioux-falls-sd
Press, research and partnership enquiries: media kit · api@cityfunindex.com.