Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Florida and South Dakota. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Florida
South Dakota
Median Home Price
$395K
$295K
Property Tax Rate
0.86%
1.22%
Avg Closing Costs
$7K
$2K
Closing Cost %
1.8%
0.7%
Transfer Tax
0.7%
0.1%
Homeowners Insurance
$4,200/yr
$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
Florida Hometown Heroes
Up to 5% as 0% deferred loan
SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer
Fixed-rate FTB loans
Verdict
South Dakota wins 5 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 Florida. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.