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Alaska

Low tax burden · COL index 126

Wins 2 categories

VS

South Dakota

Low tax burden · COL index 95

Wins 10 categories

Neither Alaska nor South Dakota levies a state income tax. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 33% higher than South Dakota (index 95).

Alaska
South Dakota

Taxes

None
Income Tax (top rate)
None
1.04%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.08%/yr
1.76%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.11%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
None
Capital Gains Tax
None

Housing & Cost of Living

126
COL Index (100=avg)
95
$340K
Median Home Price
$310K
$1,350/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,150/mo
$1K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

838
Violent Crime / 100K
388
2,544
Property Crime / 100K
2,027

Healthcare

#48 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#28 of 50
75 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.2 yrs
12.1%
Uninsured Rate
9%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#35 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#31 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,380/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$900/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$130/mo
$780/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$460/mo
#35 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#2 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+27.0

Category wins

2

Alaska

10

South Dakota

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

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People Also Ask

Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?

Alaska has one of the longest-running incentive programs in the country: the Permanent Dividend Fund. Started in 1976, it pays every resident an annual stipend as long as they lived in Alaska during the previous calendar year. The amount depends on the state's annual revenue, but averages around $1,600.

What is the leading cause of death in South Dakota?

Local physicians or coroners submit death certificates to the South Dakota Department of Health. Over the past 17 years, 2008-2024, the two most common causes of death have been heart disease and cancer.

What I wish I knew before moving to Alaska?

Not only should you be prepared for the cold, but you should also be ready for rapidly changing weather, too. Many people think Alaska is cold year-round. And while that's not true, there are long stretches of cold, wintry days. It's essential to be prepared before moving there with a warm jacket and waterproof boots.

Is South Dakota the best state to live in?

With beautiful landscapes, plenty of opportunity, and a top-notch quality of life, we've long thought South Dakota was one of the best states in America. In fact, U.S. News has ranked South Dakota as the 8th best state in America for 2025!

Full Alaska Profile →Full South Dakota Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable