Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $807 in South Dakota versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, South Dakota runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Wisconsin, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,712 in South Dakota and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 5% 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
$807
$849
+5% in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
$270,000
$191,500
+29% in South Dakota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,712
$62,546
+5% 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?
- South Dakota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $807 runs about 5% below Wisconsin's $849, 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 $32,000 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 3/3 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.