South Carolina vs South Dakota Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$80,906
in South Carolina
$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 | South Carolina | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 80.6 | 85.9 | -6% |
| Groceries | 99.0 | 97.7 | +1% |
| Utilities | 96.9 | 85.2 | +14% |
| Transportation | 96.4 | 93.6 | +3% |
| Healthcare | 94.2 | 106.5 | -12% |
| Dining & Misc | 98.2 | 93.4 | +5% |
| Overall | 92.7 | 91.8 | +1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in South Carolina.
What things actually cost
| Item | South Carolina | South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $285,000 | $285,000 | $0 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,128/mo | $1,203/mo | $75 |
| Gas price | $3.21/gal | $3.10/gal | +$0.11 |
| Electric bill | $97/mo | $96/mo | +$0 |
| Infant childcare | $11,512/yr | $8,680/yr | +$2,832 |
Salary equivalent: South Carolina → South Dakota
What a South Carolina salary buys you in South Dakota, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in South Carolina | Equivalent in South Dakota | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,515 | +$485 |
| $75,000 | $74,272 | +$728 |
| $100,000 | $99,029 | +$971 |
| $150,000 | $148,544 | +$1,456 |
| $200,000 | $198,058 | +$1,942 |
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
South Carolina and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 92.7 and 91.8 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or South Dakota?
South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina and South Dakota cost roughly the same to live in.
Is South Carolina more expensive than South Dakota?
South Carolina and South Dakota have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Dakota equals $100,000 in South Carolina?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in South Carolina, you would need approximately $99,029 in South Dakota. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (92.7 vs 91.8).
How do housing costs compare between South Carolina and South Dakota?
Housing is cheaper in South Carolina. Median home prices are $285,000 in South Carolina vs $285,000 in South Dakota — a $0 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,128/mo vs $1,203/mo.
What costs more in South Carolina vs South Dakota?
Healthcare is 12% lower in South Carolina (index 94.2 vs 106.5). Utilities is 14% higher in South Carolina (index 96.9 vs 85.2). Housing is 6% lower in South Carolina (index 80.6 vs 85.9).
Is gas cheaper in South Carolina or South Dakota?
Gas averages $3.21/gallon in South Carolina and $3.10/gallon in South Dakota — a $0.11 difference per gallon.
South Carolina vs South Dakota cost of living — how do they compare?
South Carolina has an overall cost-of-living index of 92.7 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 South Carolina and South Dakota?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.40% on income above $16,040. South Dakota has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. Use the South Carolina 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 South Carolina and South Dakota?
South Carolina 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
- South Carolina Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Carolina vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in South Carolina — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Dakota — How much house can you afford?
- South Carolina Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Dakota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Carolina Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- South Dakota Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- South Carolina 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.