South Dakota cost of living
Moving to a new state offers a great reset, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. One of the best ways to make sure you hit the ground running in your new home is to figure out the practical things first. Making new friends and finding your chosen community will come with time.
We’ve outlined some South Dakota cost of living details — knowing what to expect in terms of cost can make the transition significantly smoother.
The median rent in South Dakota is $1,169.89, versus the national median rent of $1,529.01.
Jump to insightResidents in South Dakota spend $256.48 weekly on food at home and $89.90 on food out.
Jump to insightAs of publishing, the average price per gallon of regular gas is $3.26 in South Dakota.
Jump to insightRecent data shows that employees in South Dakota pay $1,676 annually for employee-sponsored health insurance coverage.
Jump to insightHousing costs in South Dakota
According to recent data from Zillow, the median rent in South Dakota is $1,169.89, while the national median rent is $1,529.01.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows rent prices in South Dakota broken down by home size. As of publishing, one-bedroom apartments in South Dakota had a median cost of $716 per month, and the two-bedroom median cost was $899 per month. Three- and four-bedroom homes had median costs of $1,063 and $1,317, respectively.
As of publishing, the median home price in South Dakota is $329,000, according to Redfin. The U.S. median home price is $436,000.
The median home price in the Sioux Falls metro area was $321,300 in the first quarter of 2024, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
South Dakota ranks No. 17 for highest effective property tax rates in the nation, according to the most recent Tax Foundation data, at 1.17%.
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Food costs in South Dakota
According to recent census data, the average spent on food to prepare at home each week in South Dakota is $256.48, compared with the U.S. average of $270.21 at the time. South Dakota residents spend an average of $89.90 weekly on food prepared outside the home, compared with the U.S. average of $109.21.
Transportation costs in South Dakota
According to recent data from AAA, the average price per gallon of regular gas in South Dakota is $3.26, compared with the U.S. average of $3.46.
The most recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners data shows that the average auto insurance premium (liability, collision and comprehensive coverage combined) in South Dakota is $958.72, versus the national average of $1,189.50.
Health care costs in South Dakota
The most recent KFF data shows that, on average, employer-sponsored health insurance cost South Dakota employees $1,676 annually, with employers covering the remaining $5,964 of the $7,640 total cost.
Nationwide, the average employee contribution was $1,637 out of a total premium of $7,590.
Utility costs in South Dakota
According to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration, the average monthly electric bill in South Dakota is $127.92, versus $135.25 countrywide.
Recent EIA data also shows that natural gas in South Dakota costs $9.02 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $13.25 nationally.
FAQ
How does the cost of living in South Dakota compare with the national average?
Good news! South Dakota ranked as the sixth-least expensive state in our 2023 study.
What are the least expensive cities in South Dakota?
With its low unemployment rate and low housing and transportation costs, Sioux Falls was the third-least expensive city in the U.S. in our 2024 analysis.
Is South Dakota good for retirees?
Sioux Falls’ low cost of living and amenities for older residents landed it on our list of best cities for retirees in 2024.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Zillow, "Housing Data." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Redfin, "Redfin Data Center." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- Tax Foundation, "Where Do People Pay the Most in Property Taxes?" Accessed May 14, 2024.
- United States Census Bureau, "Week 63 Household Pulse Survey: October 18 - October 30." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- AAA Gas Prices, "State Gas Price Averages." Accessed June 14, 2024.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, "2020/2021 Auto Insurance Database Report." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- KFF, "Average Annual Single Premium per Enrolled Employee For Employer-Based Health Insurance." Accessed May 14, 2024.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, "2022 Average Monthly Bill- Residential." Accessed May 14, 2024.
