State Freedom Score

South Dakota

#8 of 50

Republican controlafter 2026 · projected

Who holds power now

Republican control

After the 2026 midterms · projected, not yet certified

Governor: Larry Rhoden (R)
U.S. Senate: John Thune (R)Mike Rounds (R)
State Senate: Republican
State House: Republican

Sources: gubernatorial elections · Senate elections · state legislative elections

The breakdown

Taxes98
No state income tax · #2 of 50 for taxes
Second Amendment100
Permitless carry since 2019
School choice25
No universal school-choice program
Cost of living93
Prices 11% below the U.S. average
Jobs72
Jobs +0.2% in a year · 2.0% unemployed

How it voted for president

Solid redTrump +29.2 in 2024

The certified 2024 result: the longer-run lean, beside the 2026 picture above. Neither is part of the score: who wins an election doesn’t change a state’s freedom until its laws change.

Also worth knowing (not scored)

Where people are moving: Population +5.3% since 2020
Faith community: 40% attend worship weekly

Coming soon

Know when South Dakota changes

New laws, bills and votes that move your freedom, without wading through the news. Pick what to watch:

Places worth the drive in South Dakota Ready to make a move? Find your best fit

How the State Freedom Score works

Five things, weighted equally: taxes, the Second Amendment, school choice, cost of living and jobs. Each is scored 0-100 between the best and worst real state, so a 100 is the best in the country. Permitless carry and universal school choice are yes-or-no laws, scored 100 or 25.

Who holds power is not part of the score. Control after the 2026 midterms (projected until certified) and the 2024 presidential result are shown beside it, so a change in who wins never moves the score until the laws change too.