Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $807 in South Dakota versus $764 in Wyoming. Overall, Wyoming runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than South Dakota, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,712 in South Dakota and $69,171 in Wyoming — about 5% higher in Wyoming. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.2%
4%
+0.2 pp in South Dakota
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$807
$764
+5% in South Dakota
Median Home Value
$270,000
$302,200
+12% in Wyoming
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,712
$69,171
+5% in Wyoming
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.8°F
45.4°F
+0.4°F in South Dakota
South Dakota vs Wyoming — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Wyoming?
- Wyoming is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $764 runs about 5% below South Dakota's $807, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in South Dakota than in Wyoming?
- 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 $31,000 in Wyoming.
- Which has lower taxes, South Dakota or Wyoming?
- South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in South Dakota/Wyoming — 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.