Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,206 in Nevada versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 28% cheaper on rent than Nevada, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $78,448 in Nevada and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 5% higher in Nevada. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.85%
4.2%
+2.6 pp in Nevada
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,206
$870
+28% in Nevada
Median Home Value
$465,000
$271,400
+42% in Nevada
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$78,448
$74,714
+5% in Nevada
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
68.4°F
45.8°F
+22.6°F in Nevada
Nevada vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Nevada or South Dakota?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 28% below Nevada's $1,206, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Nevada 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 $48,000 a year in Nevada versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Nevada or South Dakota?
- Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% 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 Nevada/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.