Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in South Dakota versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than South Dakota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $74,714 in South Dakota and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 16% higher in South Dakota. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.2%
5%
+0.8 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
None
7.65%
+7.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$849
+2% in South Dakota
Median Home Value
$271,400
$191,500
+29% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$74,714
$62,546
+16% in South Dakota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
46.5°F
+0.7°F in Wisconsin
South Dakota vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 2% 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 South Dakota than in Wisconsin?
- 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 $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or Wisconsin?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in South Dakota/Wisconsin — 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.