Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Texas to South Dakota

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

TX state flag
Living now

Texas

Capital: Austin

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

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

SD state flag
Moving to

South Dakota

Capital: Pierre

Median household income $71,810 · winter low 6°F · 218 sunny days

No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

South Dakota has an overall price level 88.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Texas
97.1
South Dakota
88.6
South Dakota has 8.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Texas
96.5
South Dakota
67.6
South Dakota has 30% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Texas
99.3
South Dakota
97.1
South Dakota has 2.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Texas
99.6
South Dakota
98.3
South Dakota has 1.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Texas
16.4 ¢/kWh
South Dakota
14.3 ¢/kWh
South Dakota has 13% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Texas
99.4
South Dakota
97.7
South Dakota has 1.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Texas
$313,200
South Dakota
$289,600
South Dakota is 7.5% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Texas
$1,307/mo
South Dakota
$781/mo
South Dakota is 40% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 6°F · 218 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Texas
96°F
South Dakota
86°F
South Dakota is 10% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Texas
38°F
South Dakota
6°F
South Dakota is 84% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Texas
232°F
South Dakota
46°F
South Dakota is 80% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Texas
28
South Dakota
218
South Dakota has 679% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Texas
57 in
South Dakota
21 in
South Dakota is 62% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Texas
3
South Dakota
25
South Dakota has 733% higher AQI
Snow / year
41 in

Get the full TexasSouth Dakota 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 South Dakota than Texas?

South Dakota's overall price level is roughly 88.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.3 for Texas — 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?

Texas tops out at 0% income tax. South Dakota tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in South Dakota?

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

Related comparisons