Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 8% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
None
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$870
+23% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$271,400
+40% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$74,714
+8% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
45.8°F
+6.7°F in Idaho
Idaho vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or South Dakota?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 23% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or South Dakota?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 1/1 cities we track in Idaho/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.