Idaho vs. South Dakota Cost of Living Summary

Idaho is 8.1% more expensive than South Dakota.

Restaurants
pay 7.9% more in Idaho
Groceries
pay 1.2% less in Idaho
Transportation
pay 12.4% more in Idaho
Housing
pay 6.7% more in Idaho
Childcare
pay 86.9% more in Idaho
Entertainment and Sports
pay 12.9% more in Idaho
Clothing
pay 11.9% less in Idaho

The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, transportation, restaurants, and housing in Idaho are more expensive than in South Dakota. Expenses including clothing and groceries are lower in Idaho. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Idaho.

Idaho vs. South Dakota Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Idaho instead of South Dakota, you would:

pay 7.9% more for restaurants

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $13.00
 
$15.93
 
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$10.33
 
$10.58
 
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.53
 
$2.18
 

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pay 1.2% less for groceries

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Bread
1 loaf
$2.80
 
$3.48
 
Local cheese (8 oz) $5.94
 
$7.28
 
Milk (1 gallon) $3.55
 
$3.38
 

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pay 12.4% more for transportation

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.52
 
$3.94
 
Monthly public transit pass $30.00
 
$35.00
 
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $35,246.50
 
$34,965.33
 

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pay 6.7% more for housing

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$58.99
 
$69.52
 
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,145.83
 
$1,392.92
 
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,105.14
 
$1,128.43
 

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pay 86.9% more for childcare

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $833.31
 
$1,097.22
 
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $7,800.00
 
$20,698.52
 

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pay 12.9% more for entertainment and sports

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $4.00
 
$5.12
 
Cappuccino in mid-range area $4.71
 
$5.02
 
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$9.54
 
$9.15
 

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pay 11.9% less for clothing

 
South Dakota
Idaho
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$46.56
 
$46.26
 
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$43.33
 
$42.23
 
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$91.03
 
$83.09
 

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We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Sources: MyLifeElsewhere's cost-of-living dataset (prices updated October 2026). How we calculate this

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