Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Pennsylvania vs South Dakota Cost of Living
South Dakota has the lower cost of living by 2.1 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
South Dakota is lower
2.1 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Pennsylvania is roughly $97,817 in South Dakota.
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 | Pennsylvania | South Dakota | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99 | 97.6 | South Dakota |
| Housing | 84.1 | 88.2 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 108.4 | 85.4 | South Dakota |
| Transportation | 104.2 | 100.1 | South Dakota |
| Health care | 95.1 | 104.1 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 100.5 | 96.9 | South Dakota |
Grocery
Pennsylvania99
South Dakota97.6
Lower cost: South Dakota
Housing
Pennsylvania84.1
South Dakota88.2
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
Pennsylvania108.4
South Dakota85.4
Lower cost: South Dakota
Transportation
Pennsylvania104.2
South Dakota100.1
Lower cost: South Dakota
Health care
Pennsylvania95.1
South Dakota104.1
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
Pennsylvania100.5
South Dakota96.9
Lower cost: South Dakota
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 Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,909 | $51,116 |
| $75,000 | $73,363 | $76,674 |
| $100,000 | $97,817 | $102,232 |
| $150,000 | $146,726 | $153,348 |
| $250,000 | $244,543 | $255,579 |
$50,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$48,909
In Pennsylvania$51,116
$75,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$73,363
In Pennsylvania$76,674
$100,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$97,817
In Pennsylvania$102,232
$150,000 origin salary
In South Dakota$146,726
In Pennsylvania$153,348
Housing gap
Pennsylvania housing is 84.1; South Dakota is 88.2.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Pennsylvania is roughly $97,817 in South Dakota.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Pennsylvania vs South Dakota cost of living FAQs
South Dakota has the lower cost of living by 2.1 index points. The composite indexes are 96.2 in Pennsylvania and 94.1 in South Dakota (US average = 100).
About $97,817 in South Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania, based on the composite indexes.
About $102,232 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Dakota.
Housing indexes are 84.1 in Pennsylvania 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.
South Dakota has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
Related tools
Relocation salary calculatorCity COL + equivalent salaryUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeSalary comparison by stateTake-home ladders by stateSales tax by stateCombined state + average local ratesProperty tax by stateEffective rates and homeowner estimatesHomeownership cost by stateACS owner costs and buyer estimatesTotal tax burden by stateIncome, sales, and property togetherState paycheck tax compareSide-by-side state income tax
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Related cost of living comparisons
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.