Cost of living comparison
South Dakota is 23.2% cheaper than California.
- Restaurants
-
pay 13.1% less in South Dakota
- Groceries
-
pay 10.0% less in South Dakota
- Transportation
-
pay 25.5% less in South Dakota
- Housing
-
pay 33.9% less in South Dakota
- Childcare
-
pay 65.8% less in South Dakota
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 22.7% less in South Dakota
- Clothing
-
pay 8.8% more in South Dakota
Expenses including childcare, housing, transportation, entertainment and sports, restaurants, and groceries are lower in South Dakota.
If you lived in South Dakota instead of California, you would:
pay 13.1% less for restaurants
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.02
|
$14.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52
|
$10.21
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
|
$3.08
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
|
$1.70
|
|
pay 10.0% less for groceries
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14
|
$3.25
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.95
|
$6.20
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.61
|
$3.90
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33
|
$3.60
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.70
|
$4.91
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.34
|
$2.48
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.92
|
$0.79
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$2.01
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.38
|
$2.38
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.12
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.45
|
|
pay 25.5% less for transportation
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
|
$3.32
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$62.05
|
$30.00
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,005.28
|
$34,159.27
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$20.07
|
$13.49
|
|
pay 33.9% less for housing
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54
|
$59.17
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,371.29
|
$1,077.75
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,055.18
|
$1,002.25
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68
|
$144.28
|
|
pay 65.8% less for childcare
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,682.51
|
$725.00
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$30,905.75
|
$7,800.00
|
|
pay 22.7% less for entertainment and sports
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.00
|
$4.12
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.34
|
$5.07
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91
|
$9.04
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$66.35
|
$46.12
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.41
|
$11.56
|
|
pay 8.8% more for clothing
California
|
South Dakota
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77
|
$50.46
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15
|
$55.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15
|
$91.50
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$117.31
|
$111.40
|
|
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