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 Minnesota Cost of Living
Minnesota has the lower cost of living by 0.7 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Minnesota is lower
0.7 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in South Dakota is roughly $99,256 in Minnesota.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Minnesota
93.4
composite · rank #19
- Housing
- 79.5
- Grocery
- 98.8
- Utilities
- 95.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | South Dakota | Minnesota | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 97.6 | 98.8 | South Dakota |
| Housing | 88.2 | 79.5 | Minnesota |
| Utilities | 85.4 | 95.4 | South Dakota |
| Transportation | 100.1 | 93.6 | Minnesota |
| Health care | 104.1 | 111.5 | South Dakota |
| Misc. goods & services | 96.9 | 100 | South Dakota |
Grocery
South Dakota97.6
Minnesota98.8
Lower cost: South Dakota
Housing
South Dakota88.2
Minnesota79.5
Lower cost: Minnesota
Utilities
South Dakota85.4
Minnesota95.4
Lower cost: South Dakota
Transportation
South Dakota100.1
Minnesota93.6
Lower cost: Minnesota
Health care
South Dakota104.1
Minnesota111.5
Lower cost: South Dakota
Misc. goods & services
South Dakota96.9
Minnesota100
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 Minnesota | Needed in South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,628 | $50,375 |
| $75,000 | $74,442 | $75,562 |
| $100,000 | $99,256 | $100,749 |
| $150,000 | $148,884 | $151,124 |
| $250,000 | $248,140 | $251,874 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Minnesota$49,628
In South Dakota$50,375
$75,000 origin salary
In Minnesota$74,442
In South Dakota$75,562
$100,000 origin salary
In Minnesota$99,256
In South Dakota$100,749
$150,000 origin salary
In Minnesota$148,884
In South Dakota$151,124
Housing gap
South Dakota housing is 88.2; Minnesota is 79.5.
Salary planning
$100,000 in South Dakota is roughly $99,256 in Minnesota.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
South Dakota vs Minnesota cost of living FAQs
Minnesota has the lower cost of living by 0.7 index points. The composite indexes are 94.1 in South Dakota and 93.4 in Minnesota (US average = 100).
About $99,256 in Minnesota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Dakota, based on the composite indexes.
About $100,749 in South Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Minnesota.
Housing indexes are 88.2 in South Dakota and 79.5 in Minnesota. 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.
Minnesota has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.