Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 13% cheaper on rent than South Dakota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 16% higher in South Dakota. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
4.2%
+2.3 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
None
+5.6 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$870
+14% in South Dakota
Median Home Value
$179,500
$271,400
+51% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$74,714
+18% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
45.8°F
+11.2°F in Kansas
Kansas vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or South Dakota?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 13% below South Dakota's $870, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas 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 $30,000 a year in Kansas versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or South Dakota?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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 Kansas/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.