Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from South Dakota to Florida

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. No income tax, beaches, hurricanes, retiree haven.

SD state flag
Living now

South Dakota

Capital: Pierre

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

No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

FL state flag
Moving to

Florida

Capital: Tallahassee

Median household income $67,917 · winter low 53°F · 237 sunny days

No income tax, beaches, hurricanes, retiree haven.

Florida has an overall price level 103.4 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Florida
103.4
Florida has 17% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Florida
122.1
Florida has 81% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Florida
100.9
Florida has 3.8% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Florida
100.5
Florida has 2.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Florida
14.9 ¢/kWh
Florida has 4.0% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Florida
100.7
Florida has 3.0% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Florida
$396,900
Florida is 37% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Florida
$1,589/mo
Florida is 103% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 91°F · Winter low 53°F · 237 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Florida
91°F
Florida is 5.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Florida
53°F
Florida is 783% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Florida
72°F
Florida is 58% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Florida
237
Florida has 8.7% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Florida
55 in
Florida is 156% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Florida
43
Florida has 72% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Florida
0 in
Florida is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaFlorida 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 Florida than South Dakota?

Florida's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 88.7 for South Dakota — 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?

South Dakota tops out at 0% income tax. Florida tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Florida?

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

Related comparisons