South Dakota vs Texas Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

$0 difference — take-home is identical

South Dakota

Texas

$61,593/yr in South Dakota vs $61,593/yr in Texas.

South Dakota

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

Texas

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

What this paycheck affords in South Dakota vs Texas

Sized off $5,133/mo take-home in South Dakota and $5,133/mo in Texas. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.

Purchasing power

$61,123 is what South Dakota take-home is worth at Texas prices

Against $61,593 actually paid in Texas, leaving Texas $470/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.

Rent

$91 /mo more for a two-bedroom in South Dakota

$1,203/mo in South Dakota, $1,112/mo in Texas.

South Dakotaavg 2BR $1,203/mo · 23% of take-home
Texasavg 2BR $1,112/mo · 22% of take-home
Comfortable — 30% of take-homeStretch — up to 40%Average two-bedroom

The average two-bedroom takes 23% of take-home in South Dakota and 22% in Texas — inside the comfortable range in both.

Buying a home

$10,000 more for the median home in Texas

$285,000 in South Dakota, $295,000 in Texas.

South Dakotabuys up to $265,183 · median $285,000
Texasbuys up to $250,743 · median $295,000
What the salary supportsMedian home price

The median home is 1.1× what this salary supports in South Dakota and 1.2× in Texas. 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

$78 /mo more left over in Texas

South Dakota has $1,617/mo spare; Texas has $1,695/mo spare.

South Dakota$5,133/mo take-home · $1,617/mo left
Texas$5,133/mo take-home · $1,695/mo left
HousingGroceriesUtilitiesTransportationHealthcareDining & MiscLeft over

Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $602/mo in South Dakota and $556/mo in Texas.

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.

Housing$91/mo more in South Dakota — 8%
South Dakota$1,203
Texas$1,112
Groceries$11/mo more in South Dakota — 3%
South Dakota$464
Texas$453
Utilities$65/mo more in Texas — 21%
South Dakota$315
Texas$381
Transportation$6/mo more in South Dakota — 1%
South Dakota$749
Texas$743
Healthcare$42/mo more in South Dakota — 10%
South Dakota$458
Texas$416
Dining & Misc$6/mo more in Texas — 2%
South Dakota$327
Texas$333

Other costs

CostSouth DakotaTexas
Regular gas$3.10/gal$3.21/gal
Electricity$96/mo$87/mo
Infant childcare$723/mo$892/mo

Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 14% of take-home in South Dakota and 17% in Texas.

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

South Dakota: South Dakota has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Texas: Texas 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 South Dakota take-home Texas take-home Difference
$50,000 $42,355 $42,355 $0
$75,000 $61,593 $61,593 $0
$100,000 $79,180 $79,180 $0
$150,000 $113,791 $113,791 $0
$200,000 $148,927 $148,927 $0
$300,000 $215,177 $215,177 $0

Positive values mean higher take-home in South Dakota. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, South Dakota or Texas?

At a $100,000 salary, Texas results in $0 more annual take-home pay. South Dakota has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

How much more do you take home in Texas vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $0/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $0/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $0/yr.

Do South Dakota and Texas 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 South Dakota or Texas?

South Dakota is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in South Dakota is 6% lower than in Texas. South Dakota's Regional Price Parity is 91.8 and Texas's is 97.5 (US average = 100).

Is South Dakota cheaper than Texas?

Yes. South Dakota has a lower cost of living than Texas (index 91.8 vs 97.5). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Texas more expensive than South Dakota?

Yes. Texas has a higher cost of living (index 97.5) compared to South Dakota (index 91.8). 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 $79,180 in South Dakota has the purchasing power of $74,551 in Texas terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Texas equals $84,096 in South Dakota terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Texas comes out ahead.

South Dakota vs Texas cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 6% different between South Dakota and Texas. Living costs are 8% below the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Texas gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Do I need to file state tax returns in both South Dakota and Texas?

South Dakota has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Texas 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

South Dakota Paycheck Estimator · Texas Paycheck Estimator · All states