Illinois vs South Dakota: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Illinois and South Dakota. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Illinois
South Dakota
Median Home Price
$270K
$295K
Property Tax Rate
2.07%
1.22%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$2K
Closing Cost %
2.0%
0.7%
Transfer Tax
0.1%
0.1%
Homeowners Insurance
$1,900/yr
$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
IHDA 1stHomeIllinois
$7,500 forgivable loan
SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer
Fixed-rate FTB loans
Verdict
South Dakota wins 3 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Illinois 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.