Compare states / South Dakota
SD
Compare South Dakota with other states
With about 943,000 residents, South Dakota is the 5th-least populous state (12 people per square mile). There is no state tax on wage income, and its average combined sales tax of 6.11% is the 15th-lowest among the 50 states. The median home value, $322,999, ranks 30th-highest of 50. Newcomers get 90 days to switch to a South Dakota driver license, one of the longest windows.
Data: South Dakota (dor.sd.gov, dps.sd.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | None on wages |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.11% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.00% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed (no personal income tax). |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $11.85. |
| Median home value | $322,999 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 4.20% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $10.00 |
| Registration (base) | $36.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 13 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 2 |
| Population | 943,078 |
| Population density | 12.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 80.5% White (non-Hispanic) 4.7% Hispanic 2.2% Black 1.5% Asian |
| Violent crime | 362.3 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in South Dakota
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 0.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in South Dakota
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 4.20% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in South Dakota
- Get an SD driver license within 90 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in South Dakota.
- Title and register the car within 90 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. South Dakota elections site.
- Nurse license: South Dakota is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in South Dakota: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How South Dakota compares
California taxes wages (top listed 13.3%). South Dakota does not tax wages.
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include South Dakota are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. South Dakota does not tax Social Security benefits (SD tax agency).
- Estate tax. South Dakota has no state estate tax (SD tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. South Dakota has no state inheritance tax (SD tax agency).
- Minimum wage. South Dakota $11.85.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. South Dakota 4.20%.
- State parks. South Dakota 13. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; SD 2).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (SD).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. South Dakota 90 days.
- Days to title a car. South Dakota 90 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled