Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $807 in South Dakota versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 31% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,712 in South Dakota and $74,925 in Utah — about 12% higher in Utah. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.2%
6.1%
+1.9 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.50%
+4.5 pp in Utah
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$807
$1,166
+44% in Utah
Median Home Value
$270,000
$437,100
+62% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,712
$74,925
+14% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
52.8°F
+7.0°F in Utah
South Dakota vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Utah?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $807 runs about 31% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in South Dakota than in Utah?
- 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 South Dakota versus $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or Utah?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in South Dakota/Utah — 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.