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New Jersey vs South Dakota:
Mortgage & Housing Costs

Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between New Jersey and South Dakota. Updated for 2026.

MetricNew JerseySouth Dakota
Median Home Price$505K$295K
Property Tax Rate2.47%1.22%
Avg Closing Costs$10K$2K
Closing Cost %2.0%0.7%
Transfer Tax1%0.1%
Homeowners Insurance$1,500/yr$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
NJHMFA DPA Program
Up to $15,000 forgivable
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 New Jersey. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.

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