Cost of Living in South Dakota
Updated November 2026 · population 907,428
South Dakota prices are 11.4% below the US average (index 88.6), ranking 46th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 67.6, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,215 a month.
Prices by category
South Dakota price index by category, US average = 100: All items 88.6, Housing (rents) 67.6, Goods 95.5, Utilities 79.7, Other services 91.9
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| South Dakota (whole state) | 88.6 |
| Metropolitan areas of South Dakota | 90.2 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of South Dakota | 86.7 |
Cities in South Dakota
Select a column heading to sort.
| Sioux Falls | 201,469 | 90.7 | $2,362 | $4,839 | $1,035 | $292,400 |
| Rapid City | 77,946 | 89.3 | $2,337 | $4,815 | $1,109 | $299,400 |
Metro areas in South Dakota
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 90.6 | 77.6 |
| Rapid City, SD | 89.2 | 72.6 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 86.5 | 57.8 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of South Dakota.
Modelled monthly budget at South Dakota average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $671 | $8,052 | 30% |
| Utilities | $222 | $2,664 | 10% |
| Food at home | $269 | $3,228 | 12% |
| Transportation | $572 | $6,864 | 26% |
| Health care | $323 | $3,876 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,215 | $26,580 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $856 | $10,272 | 23% |
| Utilities | $352 | $4,224 | 9% |
| Food at home | $497 | $5,964 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,131 | $13,572 | 30% |
| Health care | $599 | $7,188 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $312 | $3,744 | 8% |
| Total | $3,747 | $44,964 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for South Dakota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,013 | $12,156 | 22% |
| Utilities | $429 | $5,148 | 9% |
| Food at home | $709 | $8,508 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,508 | $18,096 | 33% |
| Health care | $558 | $6,696 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $402 | $4,824 | 9% |
| Total | $4,619 | $55,428 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
15.15¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +9.0% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 91.8 | 91.3 | 90.1 | 87.9 | 88.1 | 88.6 |
Change over the period: −3.2 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Dakota an expensive state to live in?
South Dakota has a cost of living index of 88.6 (US = 100), 11.4% below the US average. It ranks 46th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 67.6 (rank 43), goods 95.5, utilities 79.7 and other services 91.9. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in South Dakota?
At South Dakota state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,215 for a single adult, $3,747 for a couple and $4,619 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 90.2 and nonmetro areas 86.7.
What is the median rent and home value in South Dakota?
The median gross rent in South Dakota is $946 a month and the median home value is $257,400 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 25.9% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 46.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology