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Moving from South Dakota to Minnesota

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

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.

MN state flag
Moving to

Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Median household income $84,313 · winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days

Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

Minnesota has an overall price level 98.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Minnesota
98.6
Minnesota has 11% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Minnesota
91.3
Minnesota has 35% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.6% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Minnesota
99.8
Minnesota has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Minnesota
15.1 ¢/kWh
Minnesota has 5.5% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Minnesota
99.7
Minnesota has 2.1% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Minnesota
$344,600
Minnesota is 19% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Minnesota
$1,135/mo
Minnesota is 45% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Minnesota
82°F
Minnesota is 4.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Minnesota
4°F
Minnesota is 33% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Minnesota
42°F
Minnesota is 7.4% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Minnesota
195
Minnesota has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Minnesota
29 in
Minnesota is 37% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Minnesota
39
Minnesota has 56% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Minnesota
46 in
Minnesota is 12% more annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaMinnesota 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 Minnesota than South Dakota?

Minnesota's overall price level is roughly 97.3 (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. Minnesota tops out at 9.85%.

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

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

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