Cost of Living in South Dakota

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About South Dakota    South Dakota (/- dəˈkoʊtə/ (listen)) is a U.S. state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Nati....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while South Dakota's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $10.8 per hour in 2023. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in South Dakota


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of South Dakota

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major South Dakota Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State Sioux Falls, South Dakota Compared to national average
-3.9%
City, State Rapid City, South Dakota Compared to national average
+ 2.1%
City, State Aberdeen, South Dakota Compared to national average
-8.1%
City, State Brookings, South Dakota Compared to national average
-5.4%
City, State Watertown, South Dakota Compared to national average
-5.4%
City, State Deadwood, South Dakota Compared to national average
+ 0.6%
City, State Pierre, South Dakota Compared to national average
-6.6%



Cost of Living by Cities in South Dakota



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


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About South Dakota

South Dakota (/- dəˈkoʊtə/ (listen)) is a U.S. state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, who compose a large portion of the population and historically dominated the territory. South Dakota is the seventeenth largest by area, but the fifth smallest by population and the 5th least densely populated of the 50 United States. As the southern part of the former Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota. Pierre is the state capital and Sioux Falls, with a populat...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in South Dakota

Tax-friendly states could translate to a lower cost of living for some.

South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax and is considered by some to be one of the top tax-friendly states in the United States! This means that if you work in South Dakota, your paycheck will be free of taxes other than the federal income taxes. If you are retired, South Dakota does not tax any form of retirement income including Social Security benefits, offering a big advantage in having an affordable cost of living. South Dakota’s tax rates will make your take-home pay higher and provide more income for the basic cost of living purchases. South Dakota does, however, have a state and local combined 7.1% sales tax. The property taxes in South Dakota are higher than other low tax-friendly states, but overall South Dakota has a lot to offer as a tax-friendly state. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Rent vs Buy: Renting could be the better choice for a lower cost of living

The largest contributor to any cost of living estimate is housing. In South Dakota, the cost of renting a home could be about the same as purchasing one, but may still be the better overall option for you. Renting generally has fewer up-front costs. If you hate the idea of having to spend time or money on yard maintenance, renting could be a better fit for you. Utilities are often included as part of the rent and may help to reduce your energy budget. Renting may also offer on-site amenities like a fitness center, pool, play area or tennis courts that would be out of reach if you were to purchase a home. Wrapping those expenses into your rent could potentially leave you with more disposable income and a lower cost of living. Renting can give you a chance to experience a new location before making the major commitment of buying a home. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

South Dakota is ranked number 25 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Cold winters and the cost of living

Energy is one of the costs that contribute to the cost of living in a state. The cost of your utilities may fluctuate based on weather conditions. South Dakota is noted as a state that has some of the worst winter weather in the U.S. Snow, bitterly cold temperatures, storms, and strong winds can force you indoors for days on end. This typical winter weather can drive your energy costs and cost of living higher than in states with a milder climate. Expect to pay more for your utility bills during the winter months. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )


Last Update: 2023-07-25