Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $863 in Oklahoma versus $870 in South Dakota. Overall, Oklahoma runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than South Dakota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,060 in Oklahoma and $74,714 in South Dakota — about 13% higher in South Dakota. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.5%
4.2%
+0.3 pp in Oklahoma
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
None
+4.5 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$863
$870
+1% in South Dakota
Median Home Value
$215,100
$271,400
+26% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,060
$74,714
+15% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.5°F
45.8°F
+15.7°F in Oklahoma
Oklahoma vs South Dakota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma or South Dakota?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $863 runs about 1% 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 Oklahoma 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 $35,000 a year in Oklahoma versus $35,000 in South Dakota.
- Which has lower taxes, Oklahoma or South Dakota?
- Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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 3/1 cities we track in Oklahoma/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.