Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from South Dakota to Texas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

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.

TX state flag
Moving to

Texas

Capital: Austin

Median household income $75,780 · winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days

No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

Texas has an overall price level 97.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
Texas
97.1
Texas has 9.6% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
Texas
96.5
Texas has 43% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.1
Texas
99.3
Texas has 2.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
Texas
99.6
Texas has 1.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
Texas
16.4 ¢/kWh
Texas has 15% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
Texas
99.4
Texas has 1.7% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
Texas
$313,200
Texas is 8.1% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$781/mo
Texas
$1,307/mo
Texas is 67% more expensive to rent

Sources: EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 96°F · Winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
Texas
96°F
Texas is 12% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
Texas
38°F
Texas is 533% more winter lows
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
45.7
Texas
232
Texas has 408% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
218 in
Texas
28 in
Texas is 87% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
21.4
Texas
57
Texas has 166% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Dakota
25 in
Texas
3 in
Texas is 88% less annual snowfall

Get the full South DakotaTexas 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 Texas than South Dakota?

Texas's overall price level is roughly 96.3 (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. Texas tops out at 0%.

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

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

Related comparisons