Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in South Dakota versus $1,195 in Virginia. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 27% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $74,714 in South Dakota and $64,017 in Virginia — about 14% higher in South Dakota. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.2%
5.3%
+1.1 pp in Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.75%
+5.8 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$1,195
+37% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$271,400
$328,100
+21% in Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$74,714
$64,017
+14% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
59.9°F
+14.1°F in Virginia
South Dakota vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Virginia?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 27% below Virginia's $1,195, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in South Dakota than in Virginia?
- 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 $48,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or Virginia?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in South Dakota/Virginia — 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.