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 Ohio 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
Ohio
93.7
composite · rank #20
- Housing
- 86.3
- Grocery
- 98.9
- Utilities
- 100.9
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | South Dakota | Ohio | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 97.6 | 98.9 | South Dakota |
| Housing | 88.2 | 86.3 | Ohio |
| Utilities | 85.4 | 100.9 | South Dakota |
| Transportation | 100.1 | 92.7 | Ohio |
| Health care | 104.1 | 96.5 | Ohio |
| Misc. goods & services | 96.9 | 96 | Ohio |
Grocery
South Dakota97.6
Ohio98.9
Lower cost: South Dakota
Housing
South Dakota88.2
Ohio86.3
Lower cost: Ohio
Utilities
South Dakota85.4
Ohio100.9
Lower cost: South Dakota
Transportation
South Dakota100.1
Ohio92.7
Lower cost: Ohio
Health care
South Dakota104.1
Ohio96.5
Lower cost: Ohio
Misc. goods & services
South Dakota96.9
Ohio96
Lower cost: Ohio
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Ohio | Needed in South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,787 | $50,213 |
| $75,000 | $74,681 | $75,320 |
| $100,000 | $99,575 | $100,427 |
| $150,000 | $149,362 | $150,640 |
| $250,000 | $248,937 | $251,067 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Ohio$49,787
In South Dakota$50,213
$75,000 origin salary
In Ohio$74,681
In South Dakota$75,320
$100,000 origin salary
In Ohio$99,575
In South Dakota$100,427
$150,000 origin salary
In Ohio$149,362
In South Dakota$150,640
Housing gap
South Dakota housing is 88.2; Ohio is 86.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in South Dakota is roughly $99,575 in Ohio.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
South Dakota vs Ohio cost of living FAQs
Ohio has the lower cost of living by 0.4 index points. The composite indexes are 94.1 in South Dakota and 93.7 in Ohio (US average = 100).
About $99,575 in Ohio would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Dakota, based on the composite indexes.
About $100,427 in South Dakota would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Ohio.
Housing indexes are 88.2 in South Dakota and 86.3 in Ohio. 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.