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Moving from South Dakota to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

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.

TN state flag
Moving to

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

Tennessee has an overall price level 91.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 3.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 17% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Tennessee
98.0
Tennessee has 0.8% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Tennessee
98.8
Tennessee has 0.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 5.5% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Tennessee
98.4
Tennessee has 0.7% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Tennessee
$332,600
Tennessee is 15% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 51% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 3.5% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Tennessee
30°F
Tennessee is 400% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
Tennessee
58°F
Tennessee is 26% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 5.0% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 150% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
25
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 100% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
41 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 88% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaTennessee 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 Tennessee than South Dakota?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (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. Tennessee tops out at 0%.

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

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

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