Cost of living in South Dakota
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in South Dakota are 11.4% below the national average, the 46th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Compared with the rest of the country, South Dakota has become less expensive since 2019: the index went from 91.8 to 88.6, and its rank from 41st to 46th most expensive.
- Utilities stand out in South Dakota: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 20.3% below the US average.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $69,153 in 2017 dollars, 5th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Within South Dakota, metro price levels run from 86.5 in Sioux City, IA to 90.6 in Sioux Falls, SD (US = 100).
- In South Dakota, housing (32.4% below average) and everyday costs (goods 4.5% below average, other services 8.1% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In South Dakota, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 32.4% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| All items | 88.6 |
| Goods | 95.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 67.6 |
| Utilities | 79.7 |
| Other services | 91.9 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.14 a gallon in the Midwest region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.14 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for South Dakota, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in South Dakota
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 3 metro areas BEA measures in South Dakota are Sioux City, IA (86.5) and Rapid City, SD (89.2); the most expensive is Sioux Falls, SD (90.6). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Sioux City, IA is the cheapest metro area in South Dakota (86.5); Sioux Falls, SD the most expensive (90.6)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 86.5 |
| Rapid City, SD | 89.2 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 90.6 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 86.5 | 57.8 | 94.0 | 82.7 | 92.7 | $1,295 |
| Rapid City, SD | 89.2 | 72.6 | 95.5 | 79.1 | 91.9 | $1,457 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 90.6 | 77.6 | 95.5 | 80.7 | 91.9 | $1,265 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
South Dakota has become more expensive relative to the US since 2008: 85.0 then, 88.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.0 |
| 2009 | 86.1 |
| 2010 | 88.8 |
| 2011 | 87.3 |
| 2012 | 90.3 |
| 2013 | 90.2 |
| 2014 | 89.4 |
| 2015 | 87.8 |
| 2016 | 87.3 |
| 2017 | 87.2 |
| 2018 | 91.2 |
| 2019 | 91.8 |
| 2020 | 91.3 |
| 2021 | 90.1 |
| 2022 | 87.9 |
| 2023 | 88.1 |
| 2024 | 88.6 |
Goods: 84.3 in 2008, 95.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.3 |
| 2009 | 89.5 |
| 2010 | 94.6 |
| 2011 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 96.0 |
| 2013 | 95.8 |
| 2014 | 97.2 |
| 2015 | 97.0 |
| 2016 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 95.8 |
| 2019 | 97.8 |
| 2020 | 96.6 |
| 2021 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 94.0 |
| 2023 | 97.4 |
| 2024 | 95.5 |
Housing (rents): 59.2 in 2008, 67.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 59.2 |
| 2009 | 56.5 |
| 2010 | 62.2 |
| 2011 | 59.1 |
| 2012 | 68.0 |
| 2013 | 68.3 |
| 2014 | 62.7 |
| 2015 | 62.2 |
| 2016 | 62.1 |
| 2017 | 64.7 |
| 2018 | 66.9 |
| 2019 | 66.3 |
| 2020 | 63.6 |
| 2021 | 64.9 |
| 2022 | 65.1 |
| 2023 | 64.8 |
| 2024 | 67.6 |
Utilities: 77.0 in 2008, 79.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 77.0 |
| 2009 | 76.7 |
| 2010 | 79.6 |
| 2011 | 76.4 |
| 2012 | 78.9 |
| 2013 | 80.2 |
| 2014 | 78.9 |
| 2015 | 79.8 |
| 2016 | 80.9 |
| 2017 | 83.1 |
| 2018 | 90.5 |
| 2019 | 89.3 |
| 2020 | 90.6 |
| 2021 | 94.9 |
| 2022 | 88.7 |
| 2023 | 81.3 |
| 2024 | 79.7 |
Other services: 96.1 in 2008, 91.9 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.1 |
| 2009 | 96.1 |
| 2010 | 95.9 |
| 2011 | 93.6 |
| 2012 | 95.5 |
| 2013 | 95.1 |
| 2014 | 94.9 |
| 2015 | 91.9 |
| 2016 | 91.6 |
| 2017 | 90.9 |
| 2018 | 96.8 |
| 2019 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 98.2 |
| 2021 | 96.0 |
| 2022 | 91.6 |
| 2023 | 91.0 |
| 2024 | 91.9 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in South Dakota is $69,153, 5th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- South Dakota
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| South Dakota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $53,983 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $51,597 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $51,419 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $55,061 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $52,760 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $52,150 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $53,918 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $56,644 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $56,407 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $56,779 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $55,531 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $57,354 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $62,511 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $68,551 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $68,469 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $69,861 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $69,153 | $59,195 |
Compare South Dakota with other states
States with similar prices
- Missouri 90.8
- Iowa 87.8
- North Dakota 89.0
- Kentucky 90.2
- Oklahoma 87.8
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.