Illinois vs South Dakota: taxes, cost of living, laws
Illinois
High tax burden · COL index 92
Wins 6 categories
South Dakota
Low tax burden · COL index 95
Wins 10 categories
South Dakota has no state income tax. Illinois's top rate is 4.95%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs South Dakota's 1.08%. Politically, South Dakota voted Republican in 2024 (R+27.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
6
Illinois
10
South Dakota
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Is South Dakota a good place to live?
Why are people moving from South Dakota?
Is Illinois one of the best states to live in?
Is South Dakota one of the best states to live in?