Cost of Living in South Dakota
Based on 3 cities we track in South Dakota.
Cost of living in South Dakota is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $807 a month — 25% lower than the $1,076 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $65,712, about the same as the $66,029 median across the states we track. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$807
Median Home Value
$270,000
Median Income
$65,712
Avg Temperature
45.8°F
Medians across the South Dakota cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
4.2%
State Income Tax (top rate)
None
Cities in South Dakota
Compare South Dakota with
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South Dakota cost of living — FAQ
- Is South Dakota expensive to live in?
- South Dakota is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $807 ranks #45 of 51 and is 25% lower than the $1,076 median.
- What is the average rent in South Dakota?
- Across the 3 cities we track in South Dakota, average rent runs a studio around $533, a one-bedroom around $807, a two-bedroom around $1,000, a three-bedroom around $1,237 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in South Dakota?
- The median home value across the cities we track in South Dakota is $270,000 — about the same as the $270,100 median across the states we track.
- Does South Dakota have a state income tax?
- No — South Dakota has no broad-based state income tax on wages. Its state sales tax rate is 4.2%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in South Dakota?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $807 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in South Dakota is $65,712.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).