California vs South Dakota: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between California and South Dakota. Updated for 2026.
Metric
California
South Dakota
Median Home Price
$785K
$295K
Property Tax Rate
0.73%
1.22%
Avg Closing Costs
$9K
$2K
Closing Cost %
1.2%
0.7%
Transfer Tax
0.11%
0.1%
Homeowners Insurance
$2,200/yr
$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
CalHFA Dream For All
Up to 20% shared appreciation loan
SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer
Fixed-rate FTB loans
Verdict
South Dakota wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $295K and lower overall costs, South Dakota offers meaningful savings compared to California. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.