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Moving from South Dakota to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 10% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 26% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.3% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 46% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 1.8% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 4.1% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 36% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 267% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 8.8% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 18% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 103% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 60% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 4.9% more annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaPennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania than South Dakota?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (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. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

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

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

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