What it actually costs to live in South Dakota.
South Dakota’s cost-of-living index sits at 89 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #43 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in South Dakota costs about 11% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $295,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $930/mo.
South Dakota cost components
| Component | South Dakota | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 89 | 100 |
| Median home price | $295,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $930/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $140/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How South Dakota compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, South Dakota ranks #43 for cost. That puts South Dakota among the 10 most affordable — typical relocation candidates from CA/NY/MA looking for housing relief land here. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
South Dakota metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Sioux Falls has very different housing dynamics than smaller South Dakota metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More South Dakota metros coming as we expand city coverage.
South Dakota cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in South Dakota?
South Dakota's MERIC cost-of-living index is 89 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in South Dakota costs about 11% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in South Dakota?
South Dakota's state-level median home price is approximately $295,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in South Dakota?
South Dakota's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $930/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any South Dakota-specific cost-of-living quirks?
SD COL index ~91; Sioux Falls is a major credit-card processing hub (Citi, Wells Fargo) with relatively higher wages and rising housing costs vs rest of state.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.