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Moving from South Dakota to Maryland

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

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.

MD state flag
Moving to

Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Median household income $98,461 · winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days

DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland has an overall price level 105.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Maryland
105.0
Maryland has 18% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Maryland
121.1
Maryland has 79% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Maryland
101.2
Maryland has 4.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Maryland
100.7
Maryland has 2.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Maryland
35.9 ¢/kWh
Maryland has 151% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Maryland
101.0
Maryland has 3.4% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Maryland
$436,300
Maryland is 51% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Maryland
$1,470/mo
Maryland is 88% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Maryland
87°F
Maryland is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Maryland
25°F
Maryland is 317% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Maryland
55°F
Maryland is 21% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Maryland
198
Maryland has 9.2% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Maryland
44 in
Maryland is 106% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Maryland
43
Maryland has 72% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Maryland
28 in
Maryland is 32% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaMaryland 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 Maryland than South Dakota?

Maryland's overall price level is roughly 105.1 (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. Maryland tops out at 6.5%.

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

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

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