Montana vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$77,479
in Montana
$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 | Montana | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 94.4 | 85.9 | +10% |
| Groceries | 101.6 | 97.7 | +4% |
| Utilities | 81.5 | 85.2 | -4% |
| Transportation | 99.5 | 93.6 | +6% |
| Healthcare | 106.5 | 106.5 | 0% |
| Dining & Misc | 98.6 | 93.4 | +6% |
| Overall | 96.8 | 91.8 | +5% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Montana.
What things actually cost
| Item | Montana | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $410,000 | $285,000 | +$125,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,322/mo | $1,203/mo | +$119 |
| Gas price | $3.19/gal | $3.10/gal | +$0.09 |
| Electric bill | $96/mo | $96/mo | $0 |
| Infant childcare | $12,778/yr | $8,680/yr | +$4,098 |
Salary equivalent: Montana → South Dakota
What a Montana salary buys you in South Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Montana | Equivalent in South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,417 | +$2,583 |
| $75,000 | $71,126 | +$3,874 |
| $100,000 | $94,835 | +$5,165 |
| $150,000 | $142,252 | +$7,748 |
| $200,000 | $189,669 | +$10,331 |
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
Montana is 5% more expensive than South Dakota overall. Montana has an index of 96.8 vs 91.8 for South Dakota (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Montana or South Dakota?
South Dakota is cheaper to live in. Montana is 5% more expensive overall. The biggest driver is housing — median home prices are $410,000 in Montana vs $285,000 in South Dakota.
Is South Dakota cheaper than Montana?
Yes, South Dakota is 5% cheaper than Montana overall based on the MERIC/C2ER cost-of-living index. Housing, groceries, and utilities all factor into the difference.
Is Montana more expensive than South Dakota?
Yes, Montana is 5% more expensive than South Dakota based on the MERIC/C2ER composite index. Housing is typically the largest factor in the difference.
What salary in South Dakota equals $100,000 in Montana?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Montana, you would need approximately $94,835 in South Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (96.8 vs 91.8).
How do housing costs compare between Montana and South Dakota?
Housing is significantly cheaper in South Dakota. Median home prices are $410,000 in Montana vs $285,000 in South Dakota — a $125,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,322/mo vs $1,203/mo.
What costs more in Montana vs South Dakota?
Housing is 10% higher in Montana (index 94.4 vs 85.9). Transportation is 6% higher in Montana (index 99.5 vs 93.6). Dining & Misc is 6% higher in Montana (index 98.6 vs 93.4).
Is gas cheaper in Montana or South Dakota?
Gas averages $3.19/gallon in Montana and $3.10/gallon in South Dakota — a $0.09 difference per gallon.
Montana vs South Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
Montana has an overall cost-of-living index of 96.8 and South Dakota has 91.8 (national average = 100). Montana is 5% more expensive overall. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Montana and South Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Montana has a progressive income tax with rates of 4.70% and 5.65% for 2026, and no state sales tax. South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Use the Montana 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 Montana and South Dakota?
Montana 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
- Montana Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Montana vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- Montana Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Montana
- South Dakota Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in South Dakota
- Salary After Tax by State — Take-home rankings across all 50 states
- House Affordability in Montana — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- Montana Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Montana 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
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- 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.