Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $803 in North Dakota versus $807 in South Dakota. The two are close on rent, within a few percent of each other.
Median household income across tracked cities is $66,029 in North Dakota and $65,712 in South Dakota. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% 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 North Dakota
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
None
+2.5 pp in North Dakota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$803
$807
+0% in South Dakota
Median Home Value
$269,800
$270,000
+0% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$66,029
$65,712
+0% in North Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
42.4°F
45.8°F
+3.4°F in South Dakota
North Dakota vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in North Dakota or South Dakota?
- They're close. Median one-bedroom rent runs $803 in North Dakota and $807 in South Dakota — within a few percent of each other.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in North Dakota 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 $32,000 a year in North Dakota versus $32,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, North Dakota or South Dakota?
- North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% 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 North Dakota/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.