Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from South Dakota to Hawaii

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

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.

HI state flag
Moving to

Hawaii

Capital: Honolulu

Median household income $94,814 · winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days

Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

Hawaii has an overall price level 110.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Hawaii
110.0
Hawaii has 24% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Hawaii
125.3
Hawaii has 85% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Hawaii
102.5
Hawaii has 5.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Hawaii
101.5
Hawaii has 3.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Hawaii
42.2 ¢/kWh
Hawaii has 196% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Hawaii
102.0
Hawaii has 4.4% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Hawaii
$875,900
Hawaii is 202% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Hawaii
$1,579/mo
Hawaii is 102% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Hawaii
87°F
Hawaii is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Hawaii
65°F
Hawaii is 983% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Hawaii
72°F
Hawaii is 57% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Hawaii
271
Hawaii has 24% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Hawaii
57 in
Hawaii is 165% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Hawaii
17
Hawaii has 32% lower AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Hawaii
0 in
Hawaii is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaHawaii 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 Hawaii than South Dakota?

Hawaii's overall price level is roughly 113.2 (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. Hawaii tops out at 11%.

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

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

Related comparisons