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Moving from Kentucky to South Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix. vs. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

KY state flag
Living now

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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
Kentucky
90.2
South Dakota
88.6
South Dakota has 1.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Kentucky
64.3
South Dakota
67.6
South Dakota has 5.2% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kentucky
97.5
South Dakota
97.1
Utilities index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.5
South Dakota
98.3
Electricity rate
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
South Dakota has 4.0% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.0
South Dakota
97.7
Median home value
Kentucky
$226,000
South Dakota
$289,600
South Dakota is 28% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kentucky
$852/mo
South Dakota
$781/mo
South Dakota is 8.3% 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
Kentucky
87°F
South Dakota
86°F
South Dakota is 1.1% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kentucky
26°F
South Dakota
6°F
South Dakota is 77% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kentucky
56°F
South Dakota
46°F
South Dakota is 18% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kentucky
189
South Dakota
218
South Dakota has 15% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kentucky
48 in
South Dakota
21 in
South Dakota is 56% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kentucky
48
South Dakota
25
South Dakota has 48% lower AQI
Snow / year
Kentucky
9 in
South Dakota
41 in
South Dakota is 356% more annual snowfall

Get the full KentuckySouth 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 Kentucky?

South Dakota's overall price level is roughly 88.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.5 for Kentucky — 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?

Kentucky tops out at 3.5% 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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