Cost of Living in South Dakota (SD)
Compare costs across 3 South Dakota cities. From home services to salaries, see how SD stacks up against the national average.
Is South Dakota Affordable?
South Dakota's average cost index is 91, which is below the national baseline of 100. Pierre is the most affordable tracked city in SD at index 90, while Sioux Falls is the most expensive at index 92.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 2 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
South Dakota is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Pierre has a cost index of 90.
Sioux Falls has a cost index of 92.
Average median household income across 3 tracked SD cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in South Dakota
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 193K | 92 | $59K | mid |
| Rapid City | 78K | 92 | $52K | small |
| Pierre | 14K | 90 | $55K | small |
South Dakota State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in South Dakota.
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Pierre if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside South Dakota.
- Compare Sioux Falls against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.
Cost by Category Across South Dakota
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within South Dakota
Explore Other States
Popular South Dakota cost & affordability searches
- → Cost of living in Sioux Falls, SD
- → Cost of living in Rapid City, SD
- → Cost of living in Pierre, SD
- → Average rent in Sioux Falls, SD
- → Average rent in Rapid City, SD
- → Average rent in Pierre, SD
- → Salary needed to live in Sioux Falls
- → Salary needed to live in Rapid City
- → Salary needed to live in Pierre
Frequently Asked Questions: South Dakota Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in South Dakota?
South Dakota's average cost-of-living index is 91, which is 9% below the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 3 tracked cities, costs span from index 90 in Pierre to 92 in Sioux Falls.
What is the cheapest city to live in South Dakota?
Pierre is the most affordable tracked city in South Dakota, with a cost index of 90 — roughly 10% below the national average.
What is the most expensive city in South Dakota?
Sioux Falls is the most expensive tracked city in South Dakota, at a cost index of 92. The gap between Pierre and Sioux Falls is 2 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in South Dakota?
The average median household income across 3 tracked South Dakota cities is about $55,478 per year.
Does South Dakota have a state income tax?
No. South Dakota has no state income tax, so workers keep more of each paycheck compared with high-income-tax states.
How much is sales tax in South Dakota?
The combined sales tax in South Dakota averages 6.4% — 4.5% at the state level plus 1.9% in average local tax.