Iowa vs South Dakota Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$2,198 /yr more take-home in South Dakota
$183/mo · $85 a paycheck.
Iowa
South Dakota
$59,394/yr in Iowa vs $61,593/yr in South Dakota.
Iowa
Take-home per paycheck
$2,284.40
$59,394/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
South Dakota
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Iowa vs South Dakota
Sized off $4,950/mo take-home in Iowa and $5,133/mo in South Dakota. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$60,717 is what Iowa take-home is worth at South Dakota prices
Against $61,593 actually paid in South Dakota, leaving South Dakota $876/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$115 /mo more for a two-bedroom in South Dakota
$1,088/mo in Iowa, $1,203/mo in South Dakota.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Iowa and 23% in South Dakota — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$75,000 more for the median home in South Dakota
$210,000 in Iowa, $285,000 in South Dakota.
This salary covers the median home in Iowa; the South Dakota median is 1.1× what it supports. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$79 /mo more left over in South Dakota
Iowa has $1,538/mo spare; South Dakota has $1,617/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $544/mo in Iowa and $602/mo in South Dakota.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Iowa | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.10/gal |
| Electricity | $83/mo | $96/mo |
| Infant childcare | $800/mo | $723/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Iowa and 14% in South Dakota.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Iowa: Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
South Dakota: South Dakota has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Iowa take-home | South Dakota take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $42,355 | -$1,248 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $61,593 | -$2,198 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $79,180 | -$3,148 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $113,791 | -$5,048 |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $148,927 | -$6,948 |
| $300,000 | $204,429 | $215,177 | -$10,748 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Iowa. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Iowa or South Dakota?
At a $100,000 salary, South Dakota results in $3,148 more annual take-home pay. Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. South Dakota has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
How much more do you take home in South Dakota vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,248/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $5,048/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $10,748/yr.
Do Iowa and South Dakota have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or South Dakota?
Iowa is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Iowa is 2% lower than in South Dakota. Iowa's Regional Price Parity is 90.2 and South Dakota's is 91.8 (US average = 100).
Is Iowa cheaper than South Dakota?
Yes. Iowa has a lower cost of living than South Dakota (index 90.2 vs 91.8). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is South Dakota more expensive than Iowa?
Yes. South Dakota has a higher cost of living (index 91.8) compared to Iowa (index 90.2). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $76,032 in Iowa has the purchasing power of $74,707 in South Dakota terms. Conversely, $79,180 in South Dakota equals $80,585 in Iowa terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, South Dakota comes out ahead.
Iowa vs South Dakota cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 2% different between Iowa and South Dakota. Living costs are 10% below the national average Living costs are 8% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, South Dakota gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Iowa and South Dakota?
Iowa 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. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
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- South Dakota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
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- How much house can you afford in South Dakota?
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- South Dakota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
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Iowa Paycheck Estimator · South Dakota Paycheck Estimator · All states