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Moving from South Dakota to Idaho

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

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.

ID state flag
Moving to

Idaho

Capital: Boise

Median household income $70,214 · winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days

Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

Idaho has an overall price level 95.5 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Idaho
95.5
Idaho has 7.8% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Idaho
90.0
Idaho has 33% higher housing costs
Groceries index
South Dakota
95.5
Idaho
96.3
Idaho has 0.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Idaho
99.3
Idaho has 1.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.5 ¢/kWh
Idaho
12.7 ¢/kWh
Idaho has 13% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Idaho
99.1
Idaho has 1.4% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Idaho
$446,400
Idaho is 54% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$999/mo
Idaho
$1,384/mo
Idaho is 39% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Idaho
87°F
Idaho is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Idaho
22°F
Idaho is 267% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Idaho
46°F
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Idaho
199
Idaho has 8.7% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Idaho
17 in
Idaho is 19% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
47
Idaho
24
Idaho has 49% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
South Dakota
0
Idaho
12
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Idaho
51 in
Idaho is 24% more annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaIdaho report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho than South Dakota?

Idaho's overall price level is roughly 92.8 (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. Idaho tops out at 5.3%.

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

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

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