Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $854 in Louisiana versus $807 in South Dakota. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Louisiana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $49,944 in Louisiana and $65,712 in South Dakota — about 24% higher in South Dakota. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5%
4.2%
+0.8 pp in Louisiana
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
None
+3.0 pp in Louisiana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$854
$807
+6% in Louisiana
Median Home Value
$224,500
$270,000
+20% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$49,944
$65,712
+32% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
68.5°F
45.8°F
+22.7°F in Louisiana
Louisiana vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Louisiana or South Dakota?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $807 runs about 6% below Louisiana's $854, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Louisiana 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 $34,000 a year in Louisiana versus $32,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Louisiana or South Dakota?
- Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 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 3/3 cities we track in Louisiana/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.