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Moving from South Dakota to Rhode Island

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

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.

RI state flag
Moving to

Rhode Island

Capital: Providence

Median household income $81,854 · winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days

Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

Rhode Island has an overall price level 102.3 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Rhode Island
102.3
Rhode Island has 15% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Rhode Island
105.6
Rhode Island has 56% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Rhode Island
100.6
Rhode Island has 3.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Rhode Island
100.3
Rhode Island has 2.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
29.9 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 109% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Rhode Island
100.5
Rhode Island has 2.8% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Rhode Island
$455,700
Rhode Island is 57% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Rhode Island
$1,038/mo
Rhode Island is 33% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Rhode Island
82°F
Rhode Island is 4.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Rhode Island
22°F
Rhode Island is 267% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Rhode Island
51°F
Rhode Island is 11% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Rhode Island
200
Rhode Island has 8.3% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Rhode Island
49 in
Rhode Island is 129% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Rhode Island
36
Rhode Island has 44% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Rhode Island
37 in
Rhode Island is 9.8% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaRhode Island report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Rhode Island than South Dakota?

Rhode Island's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (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. Rhode Island tops out at 5.99%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Rhode Island?

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

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