Kentucky vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$81,967
in Kentucky
$81,699
in South Dakota
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Kentucky | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 74.8 | 85.9 | -13% |
| Groceries | 99.8 | 97.7 | +2% |
| Utilities | 88.0 | 85.2 | +3% |
| Transportation | 96.0 | 93.6 | +3% |
| Healthcare | 93.5 | 106.5 | -12% |
| Dining & Misc | 101.9 | 93.4 | +9% |
| Overall | 91.5 | 91.8 | 0% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Kentucky.
What things actually cost
| Item | Kentucky | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $195,000 | $285,000 | $90,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,047/mo | $1,203/mo | $156 |
| Gas price | $3.16/gal | $3.10/gal | +$0.06 |
| Electric bill | $89/mo | $96/mo | $7 |
| Infant childcare | $8,756/yr | $8,680/yr | +$76 |
Salary equivalent: Kentucky → South Dakota
What a Kentucky salary buys you in South Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Kentucky | Equivalent in South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,164 | $-164 |
| $75,000 | $75,246 | $-246 |
| $100,000 | $100,328 | $-328 |
| $150,000 | $150,492 | $-492 |
| $200,000 | $200,656 | $-656 |
Positive = your money goes further in South Dakota. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Kentucky and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 91.5 and 91.8 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or South Dakota?
Kentucky and South Dakota have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Kentucky cheaper than South Dakota?
Kentucky and South Dakota cost roughly the same to live in.
Is South Dakota more expensive than Kentucky?
Kentucky and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Dakota equals $100,000 in Kentucky?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Kentucky, you would need approximately $100,328 in South Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (91.5 vs 91.8).
How do housing costs compare between Kentucky and South Dakota?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Kentucky. Median home prices are $195,000 in Kentucky vs $285,000 in South Dakota — a $90,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,047/mo vs $1,203/mo.
What costs more in Kentucky vs South Dakota?
Healthcare is 12% lower in Kentucky (index 93.5 vs 106.5). Housing is 13% lower in Kentucky (index 74.8 vs 85.9). Dining & Misc is 9% higher in Kentucky (index 101.9 vs 93.4).
Is gas cheaper in Kentucky or South Dakota?
Gas averages $3.16/gallon in Kentucky and $3.10/gallon in South Dakota — a $0.06 difference per gallon.
Kentucky vs South Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
Kentucky has an overall cost-of-living index of 91.5 and South Dakota has 91.8 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and South Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Kentucky has a flat income tax rate of 3.50% for 2026, reduced from 4.00% in 2025. South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Use the Kentucky vs South Dakota paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Kentucky and South Dakota?
Kentucky requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. South Dakota has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Kentucky Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Kentucky vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Kentucky — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- Kentucky Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Kentucky Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- South Dakota Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Kentucky Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- South Dakota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.