South Dakota
94.1
composite · rank #23
- Housing
- 88.2
- Grocery
- 97.6
- Utilities
- 85.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026South Dakota vs Michigan Cost of Living
Michigan has the lower cost of living by 0.2 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Michigan is lower
0.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in South Dakota is roughly $99,787 in Michigan.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Michigan
93.9
composite · rank #22
- Housing
- 85.7
- Grocery
- 100.1
- Utilities
- 98
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | South Dakota | Michigan | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 97.6 | 100.1 | South Dakota |
| Housing | 88.2 | 85.7 | Michigan |
| Utilities | 85.4 | 98 | South Dakota |
| Transportation | 100.1 | 98.5 | Michigan |
| Health care | 104.1 | 88.2 | Michigan |
| Misc. goods & services | 96.9 | 97 | South Dakota |
Grocery
South Dakota97.6
Michigan100.1
Lower cost: South Dakota
Housing
South Dakota88.2
Michigan85.7
Lower cost: Michigan
Utilities
South Dakota85.4
Michigan98
Lower cost: South Dakota
Transportation
South Dakota100.1
Michigan98.5
Lower cost: Michigan
Health care
South Dakota104.1
Michigan88.2
Lower cost: Michigan
Misc. goods & services
South Dakota96.9
Michigan97
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 Michigan | Needed in South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,894 | $50,106 |
| $75,000 | $74,841 | $75,160 |
| $100,000 | $99,787 | $100,213 |
| $150,000 | $149,681 | $150,319 |
| $250,000 | $249,469 | $250,532 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Michigan$49,894
In South Dakota$50,106
$75,000 origin salary
In Michigan$74,841
In South Dakota$75,160
$100,000 origin salary
In Michigan$99,787
In South Dakota$100,213
$150,000 origin salary
In Michigan$149,681
In South Dakota$150,319
Housing gap
South Dakota housing is 88.2; Michigan is 85.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in South Dakota is roughly $99,787 in Michigan.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
South Dakota vs Michigan cost of living FAQs
Michigan has the lower cost of living by 0.2 index points. The composite indexes are 94.1 in South Dakota and 93.9 in Michigan (US average = 100).
About $99,787 in Michigan would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Dakota, based on the composite indexes.
About $100,213 in South Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Michigan.
Housing indexes are 88.2 in South Dakota and 85.7 in Michigan. 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.
Michigan 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.