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Moving from South Dakota to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

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.

IL state flag
Moving to

Illinois

Capital: Springfield

Median household income $78,433 · winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days

Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

Illinois has an overall price level 100.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 13% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 39% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 32% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.3% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 3.1% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 50% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 217% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 14% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Illinois
189
Illinois has 13% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 87% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Illinois
40
Illinois has 60% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 54% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaIllinois 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 Illinois than South Dakota?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (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. Illinois tops out at 4.95%.

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

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

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