Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 24% higher in South Dakota. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
4.2%
+0.2 pp in South Dakota
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
None
+5.2 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$870
+5% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$182,300
$271,400
+49% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$74,714
+32% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
45.8°F
+19.4°F in Georgia
Georgia vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or South Dakota?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 5% below Georgia's $916, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia 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 $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or South Dakota?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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 3/1 cities we track in Georgia/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.