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Moving from Kansas to South Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

KS state flag
Living now

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

SD state flag
Moving to

South Dakota

Capital: Pierre

Median household income $71,810 · winter low 6°F · 218 sunny days

No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

South Dakota has an overall price level 88.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Kansas
90.1
South Dakota
88.6
South Dakota has 1.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
South Dakota
67.6
South Dakota has 4.9% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kansas
97.5
South Dakota
97.1
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
South Dakota
98.3
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
South Dakota has 6.8% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
South Dakota
97.7
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
South Dakota
$289,600
South Dakota is 21% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$861/mo
South Dakota
$781/mo
South Dakota is 9.3% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 6°F · 218 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Kansas
89°F
South Dakota
86°F
South Dakota is 3.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
South Dakota
6°F
South Dakota is 71% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
South Dakota
46°F
South Dakota is 16% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
South Dakota
218
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
South Dakota
21 in
South Dakota is 32% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kansas
38
South Dakota
25
South Dakota has 34% lower AQI
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
South Dakota
41 in
South Dakota is 156% more annual snowfall

Get the full KansasSouth Dakota report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota than Kansas?

South Dakota's overall price level is roughly 88.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 90.1 for Kansas — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Kansas tops out at 5.58% income tax. South Dakota tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in South Dakota?

Most South Dakota residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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