Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in South Dakota versus $668 in West Virginia. Overall, West Virginia runs roughly 23% 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 $64,512 in West Virginia — about 14% higher in South Dakota. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Income (median across tracked cities)
Climate (median across tracked cities)
South Dakota vs West Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or West Virginia?
- West Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $668 runs about 23% 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 West 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 $27,000 in West Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or West Virginia?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in South Dakota/West 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.