Louisiana vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$80,732
in Louisiana
$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 | Louisiana | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 84.5 | 85.9 | -2% |
| Groceries | 96.4 | 97.7 | -1% |
| Utilities | 83.6 | 85.2 | -2% |
| Transportation | 97.3 | 93.6 | +4% |
| Healthcare | 93.4 | 106.5 | -12% |
| Dining & Misc | 100.0 | 93.4 | +7% |
| Overall | 92.9 | 91.8 | +1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Louisiana.
What things actually cost
| Item | Louisiana | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $210,000 | $285,000 | $75,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,183/mo | $1,203/mo | $20 |
| Gas price | $3.11/gal | $3.10/gal | +$0.01 |
| Electric bill | $78/mo | $96/mo | $18 |
| Infant childcare | $8,873/yr | $8,680/yr | +$193 |
Salary equivalent: Louisiana → South Dakota
What a Louisiana salary buys you in South Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Louisiana | Equivalent in South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,408 | +$592 |
| $75,000 | $74,112 | +$888 |
| $100,000 | $98,816 | +$1,184 |
| $150,000 | $148,224 | +$1,776 |
| $200,000 | $197,632 | +$2,368 |
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
Louisiana and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 92.9 and 91.8 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Louisiana or South Dakota?
Louisiana and South Dakota have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is South Dakota cheaper than Louisiana?
Louisiana and South Dakota cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Louisiana more expensive than South Dakota?
Louisiana and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Dakota equals $100,000 in Louisiana?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Louisiana, you would need approximately $98,816 in South Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (92.9 vs 91.8).
How do housing costs compare between Louisiana and South Dakota?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Louisiana. Median home prices are $210,000 in Louisiana vs $285,000 in South Dakota — a $75,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,183/mo vs $1,203/mo.
What costs more in Louisiana vs South Dakota?
Healthcare is 12% lower in Louisiana (index 93.4 vs 106.5). Dining & Misc is 7% higher in Louisiana (index 100 vs 93.4). Transportation is 4% higher in Louisiana (index 97.3 vs 93.6).
Is gas cheaper in Louisiana or South Dakota?
Gas averages $3.11/gallon in Louisiana and $3.10/gallon in South Dakota — a $0.01 difference per gallon.
Louisiana vs South Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
Louisiana has an overall cost-of-living index of 92.9 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 Louisiana and South Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Louisiana moved to a flat income tax rate of 3.00% in 2025, replacing a three-bracket system. South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Use the Louisiana 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 Louisiana and South Dakota?
Louisiana 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
- Louisiana Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Louisiana vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Louisiana — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- Louisiana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Louisiana Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- South Dakota Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Louisiana 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.