Is Connecticut or South Dakota a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, South Dakota ranks higher overall. Connecticut is #10 and South Dakota is #2 out of 50 states. Connecticut wins 3 of 11 categories, while South Dakota wins 8.

How does Connecticut compare to South Dakota in cost of living?

Connecticut has a cost of living index of 104, while South Dakota's is 88 (100 = national average). South Dakota is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Connecticut or South Dakota?

Connecticut has 136 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 330 in South Dakota. Connecticut has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Connecticut vs South Dakota?

Connecticut's median household income is $93,228, compared to $72,280 in South Dakota.

Connecticut vs South Dakota: Side-by-Side (2026)

Connecticut

#10·Northeast

73.5Composite Score

VSSouth Dakota leads

A+

South Dakota

#2·Midwest

81.8Composite Score

3CT wins

8SD wins

Category Overlay

ConnecticutSouth Dakota

Category Scores

💰 EconomySD +10.5

59.8

70.3

🛡️ SafetyCT +17.3

84.2

66.9

🏥 HealthCT +40.8

93.9

53.1

🎓 EducationCT +8.2

98.0

89.8

💼 Fiscal HealthSD +37.9

38.4

76.3

📈 GrowthSD +26.4

37.0

63.4

🏠 AffordabilitySD +42.3

42.2

84.5

🌿 EnvironmentSD +15.0

38.3

53.3

🏞️ Outdoor AccessSD +22.0

23.8

45.8

🚇 TransportationSD +1.9

54.8

56.7

🎭 LivabilitySD +13.6

40.7

54.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Connecticut	South Dakota	Winner
Population	3,617,176	919,318	CT
Median Income	$93,228	$72,280	CT
Unemployment	4.2%	2%	SD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	136	330	CT
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	104	88	SD
HS Graduation Rate	89%	85%	CT
Life Expectancy	79.7 yr	78.5 yr	CT
Pop Growth	+0.8%	+1%	SD

Connecticut vs South Dakota: How Do They Compare?

Connecticut ranks #10 overall with a composite score of 73.5, earning a A grade. South Dakota sits at #2 with 81.8 and a A+ grade. South Dakota has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Connecticut has 4.2% unemployment and a $93,228 median income, while South Dakota reports 2% unemployment and $72,280 median income.

For safety, Connecticut's violent crime rate is 136 per 100K compared to 330 in South Dakota. Cost of living favors South Dakota with an index of 88 vs 104.

Explore These States

Connecticut Full Profile73.5 South Dakota Full Profile81.8 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023 📎America's Health Rankings, 2025 📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024 📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025 📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025 📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025 📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024 📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025 📎National Park Service API, 2024 📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024 📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023 📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023 📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24 📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22 📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23 📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023 📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023 📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022 📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023 📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022 📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025 📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023