Pennsylvania vs South Dakota: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Median Home Price
$280K
$295K
Property Tax Rate
1.36%
1.22%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$2K
Closing Cost %
1.7%
0.7%
Transfer Tax
2%
0.1%
Homeowners Insurance
$1,400/yr
$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
PHFA Keystone Advantage
Up to $6,000 DPA
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. However, Pennsylvania has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.