Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in South Dakota versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 26% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $74,714 in South Dakota and $67,043 in Texas — about 10% higher in South Dakota. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.2%
6.25%
+2.0 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$1,170
+34% in Texas
Median Home Value
$271,400
$264,900
+2% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$74,714
$67,043
+10% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
67.2°F
+21.4°F in Texas
South Dakota vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Texas?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 26% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in South Dakota than in Texas?
- 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 South Dakota versus $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or Texas?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in South Dakota/Texas — 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.