Ohio
93.7
composite · rank #20
- Housing
- 86.3
- Grocery
- 98.9
- Utilities
- 100.9
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Ohio vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Ohio has the lower cost of living by 0.4 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Ohio is lower
0.4 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in South Dakota is roughly $99,575 in Ohio.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
South Dakota
94.1
composite · rank #23
- Housing
- 88.2
- Grocery
- 97.6
- Utilities
- 85.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Ohio | South Dakota | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 98.9 | 97.6 | South Dakota |
| Housing | 86.3 | 88.2 | Ohio |
| Utilities | 100.9 | 85.4 | South Dakota |
| Transportation | 92.7 | 100.1 | Ohio |
| Health care | 96.5 | 104.1 | Ohio |
| Misc. goods & services | 96 | 96.9 | Ohio |
Grocery
Ohio98.9
South Dakota97.6
Lower cost: South Dakota
Housing
Ohio86.3
South Dakota88.2
Lower cost: Ohio
Utilities
Ohio100.9
South Dakota85.4
Lower cost: South Dakota
Transportation
Ohio92.7
South Dakota100.1
Lower cost: Ohio
Health care
Ohio96.5
South Dakota104.1
Lower cost: Ohio
Misc. goods & services
Ohio96
South Dakota96.9
Lower cost: Ohio
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in South Dakota | Needed in Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,213 | $49,787 |
| $75,000 | $75,320 | $74,681 |
| $100,000 | $100,427 | $99,575 |
| $150,000 | $150,640 | $149,362 |
| $250,000 | $251,067 | $248,937 |
$50,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$50,213
In Ohio$49,787
$75,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$75,320
In Ohio$74,681
$100,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$100,427
In Ohio$99,575
$150,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$150,640
In Ohio$149,362
Housing gap
Ohio housing is 86.3; South Dakota is 88.2.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Ohio is roughly $100,427 in South Dakota.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Ohio vs South Dakota cost of living FAQs
Ohio has the lower cost of living by 0.4 index points. The composite indexes are 93.7 in Ohio and 94.1 in South Dakota (US average = 100).
About $100,427 in South Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Ohio, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,575 in Ohio would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Dakota.
Housing indexes are 86.3 in Ohio and 88.2 in South Dakota. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Ohio has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Compare another pair
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.