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Moving from Ohio to South Dakota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros. vs. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

OH state flag
Living now

Ohio

Capital: Columbus

Median household income $66,990 · winter low 21°F · 178 sunny days

Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros.

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
Ohio
92.8
South Dakota
88.6
South Dakota has 4.5% lower overall price level
Housing index
Ohio
73.0
South Dakota
67.6
South Dakota has 7.4% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Ohio
98.2
South Dakota
97.1
South Dakota has 1.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Ohio
98.9
South Dakota
98.3
South Dakota has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Ohio
18.8 ¢/kWh
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
South Dakota has 24% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Ohio
98.6
South Dakota
97.7
South Dakota has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Ohio
$239,800
South Dakota
$289,600
South Dakota is 21% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Ohio
$878/mo
South Dakota
$781/mo
South Dakota is 11% 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
Ohio
84°F
South Dakota
86°F
South Dakota is 2.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Ohio
21°F
South Dakota
6°F
South Dakota is 71% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Ohio
51°F
South Dakota
46°F
South Dakota is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Ohio
178
South Dakota
218
South Dakota has 22% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Ohio
40 in
South Dakota
21 in
South Dakota is 46% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Ohio
42
South Dakota
25
South Dakota has 40% lower AQI
Snow / year
Ohio
25 in
South Dakota
41 in
South Dakota is 64% more annual snowfall

Get the full OhioSouth Dakota report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota than Ohio?

South Dakota's overall price level is roughly 88.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 89.4 for Ohio — 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?

Ohio tops out at 2.75% 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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