Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Dakota instead of Maine, you would:
Health
live 1.1 years less
In Maine, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In South Dakota, that number is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
be 25.0% less likely to be unemployed
In Maine, 3.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In South Dakota, that number is 2.4% as of 2025.
make 12.3% more money
Maine has a GDP per capita of $54,958 as of 2024, while in South Dakota, the GDP per capita is $61,724 as of 2024.
Safety
be 3.4 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Maine has a violent crime rate of 101 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 344 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 43.9% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Maine has a property crime rate of 1,105 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 1,591 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 11.1% less for a home
The median home value in Maine is $266,400 as of 2023, compared to $236,800 in South Dakota as of 2023.
pay 15.9% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Maine is $1,084 as of 2023, while in South Dakota, it is $912 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 6.8 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Maine takes 24.4 minutes as of 2023. In South Dakota, it takes 17.6 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 73.1% less densely populated
Maine has a population density of 17.5 people per sq km as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 4.7 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 23.5% more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Maine, 1.7% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 2.1% as of 2023.
be 23.5% less likely to be food insecure
In Maine, 10.2% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In South Dakota, that number is 7.8% as of 2021.
be 35.9% more likely to be uninsured
In Maine, 6.4% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 8.7% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 7.1 years older on average
The median age in Maine is 44.8 years as of 2023. In South Dakota, the median age is 37.7 years as of 2023.
be 22.0% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Maine, 25.4% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In South Dakota, that number is 19.8% as of 2023.
Sources: US Census Bureau (American Community Survey) (2023), OECD Regional Demography (2020–2023), FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2023), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), Feeding America (2021). How we calculate this
