Is Rhode Island or South Dakota a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, South Dakota ranks higher overall. Rhode Island is #14 and South Dakota is #2 out of 50 states. Rhode Island wins 4 of 11 categories, while South Dakota wins 7.

How does Rhode Island compare to South Dakota in cost of living?

Rhode Island has a cost of living index of 101, while South Dakota's is 88 (100 = national average). South Dakota is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Rhode Island or South Dakota?

Rhode Island has 154 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 330 in South Dakota. Rhode Island has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Rhode Island vs South Dakota?

Rhode Island's median household income is $81,800, compared to $72,280 in South Dakota.

Rhode Island vs South Dakota: Side-by-Side (2026)

B+

Rhode Island

#14·Northeast

69.8Composite Score

VSSouth Dakota leads

A+

South Dakota

#2·Midwest

81.8Composite Score

4RI wins

7SD wins

Category Overlay

Rhode IslandSouth Dakota

Category Scores

💰 EconomySD +23.4

46.9

70.3

🛡️ SafetyRI +16.9

83.8

66.9

🏥 HealthRI +22.4

75.5

53.1

🎓 EducationSD +4.1

85.7

89.8

💼 Fiscal HealthSD +33.3

43.0

76.3

📈 GrowthSD +29.8

33.6

63.4

🏠 AffordabilitySD +38.4

46.1

84.5

🌿 EnvironmentRI +0.1

53.4

53.3

🏞️ Outdoor AccessSD +8.4

37.4

45.8

🚇 TransportationSD +3.9

52.8

56.7

🎭 LivabilityRI +5.3

59.6

54.3

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Rhode Island	South Dakota	Winner
Population	1,095,962	919,318	RI
Median Income	$81,800	$72,280	RI
Unemployment	4.3%	2%	SD
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	154	330	RI
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	101	88	SD
HS Graduation Rate	84%	85%	SD
Life Expectancy	79 yr	78.5 yr	RI
Pop Growth	+0.5%	+1%	SD

Rhode Island vs South Dakota: How Do They Compare?

Rhode Island ranks #14 overall with a composite score of 69.8, earning a B+ grade. South Dakota sits at #2 with 81.8 and a A+ grade. South Dakota has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Rhode Island has 4.3% unemployment and a $81,800 median income, while South Dakota reports 2% unemployment and $72,280 median income.

For safety, Rhode Island's violent crime rate is 154 per 100K compared to 330 in South Dakota. Cost of living favors South Dakota with an index of 88 vs 101.

Explore These States

Rhode Island Full Profile69.8 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