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.
3
Cities
91
Avg Cost Index
$55K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
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.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
South Dakota Highlights: Most affordable city: Pierre (index 90). Most expensive: Sioux Falls (index 92). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 2 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
91/100
South Dakota is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Pierre
Pierre has a cost index of 90.
Most expensive
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls has a cost index of 92.
Income average
$55K
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 Income Tax
0%
No income tax
Combined Sales Tax
6.4%
4.5% state + 1.9% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.28%
~$3,840/yr on a $300K home
Tax friendly: South Dakota has no state income tax - workers keep more of their paycheck. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
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.