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Rhode Island vs South Dakota: taxes, cost of living, laws
Rhode Island
High tax burden · COL index 114
Wins 5 categories
VS
South Dakota
Low tax burden · COL index 95
Wins 12 categories
South Dakota has no state income tax. Rhode Island's top rate is 5.99%. Cost of living in Rhode Island (index 114) runs 20% higher than South Dakota (index 95). The median home in Rhode Island costs $430K vs $310K in South Dakota. Politically, South Dakota voted Republican in 2024 (R+27.0) while Rhode Island went Democratic (D+17.0).
Taxes
5.99%
Income Tax (top rate)
None
1.3%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.08%/yr
7%
Sales Tax (avg)
6.11%
No
Social Security Tax
Yes
No
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
None
Housing & Cost of Living
114
COL Index (100=avg)
95
$430K
Median Home Price
$310K
$1,800/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,150/mo
$1K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr
Crime & Safety
237
Violent Crime / 100K
388
1,527
Property Crime / 100K
2,027
204
Sex Offenders / 100K
475
220
Homeless / 100K
145
Healthcare
#4 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#28 of 50
78.1 yrs
Life Expectancy
78.2 yrs
4.7%
Uninsured Rate
9%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes
Education
#13 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#31 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No
Childcare
$1,750/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$900/mo
Utilities & Daily Costs
$195/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$130/mo
$610/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$460/mo
#50 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#2 of 50
Social Policy
B
Gun Laws Grade
F
D+17.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+27.0
Category wins
5
Rhode Island
12
South Dakota
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