Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 30% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 7% higher in South Dakota. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4.2%
+1.8 pp in Florida
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$870
+30% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$271,400
+15% in Florida
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$74,714
+8% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
45.8°F
+26.0°F in Florida
Florida vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or South Dakota?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 30% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in South Dakota?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or South Dakota?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Florida/South Dakota — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.