

Arizona vs South Dakota
South Dakota comes out ahead of Arizona on 438 of 794 statistics where one end is better, to 350 with 6 ties. Arizona leads on Politics & Government, Health and Economics. South Dakota leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Environment and Facts & Trivia and 9 more categories.
794 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 6 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 350
- Avg. percentile
- 48
- Categories led
- 3
- Wins
- 438
- Avg. percentile
- 52
- Categories led
- 12
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Arizona | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,691,212 14th of 51 | 943,078 46th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $79,964 21st of 51 | $75,081 31st of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.3% tied 33rd of 51 | 2.1% 1st of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.5% 32nd of 51 | 11.9% 27th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 100.7 35th of 51 | 88.6 6th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $52,890 43rd of 51 | $69,153 5th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $67,620 20th of 51 | $57,610 45th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,543 39th of 51 | $946 2nd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 377.9 36th of 51 | 307.5 28th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 1,919 4th of 48 | 7,633 42nd of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Infrastructure & EnergySouth Dakota · 36 statistics
- EnvironmentSouth Dakota · 38 statistics
- Facts & TriviaSouth Dakota · 18 statistics
- AgricultureSouth Dakota · 17 statistics
- LawSouth Dakota · 67 statistics
- EducationSouth Dakota · 51 statistics
- GeographySouth Dakota · 25 statistics
- Tech & BusinessSouth Dakota · 48 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentArizona · 124 statistics
- PopulationSouth Dakota · 123 statistics
- CultureSouth Dakota · 78 statistics
- HealthArizona · 186 statistics
- SportsSouth Dakota · 16 statistics
- TravelSouth Dakota · 29 statistics
- EconomicsArizona · 293 statistics
- Crime & SafetyEven · 74 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Arizona | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Racial Integration ScoreLeast Racist States | 72.76 1st of 51 | 50 49th of 51 |
| Crematory FeeAverage Funeral Cost by State | $317 3rd of 51 | $712 49th of 51 |
| Corruption Score (BestLife)Most Corrupt States | 94.82 3rd of 50 | 3.87 48th of 50 |
| % of Vascular Plant Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 15.3% 47th of 51 | 0.9% tied 1st of 51 |
| State Rank State GovtPublic Land by State | 6th 5th of 49 | 49th 48th of 49 |
| Hospital Health Care Cost per CapitaHealth Care Costs by State | $3,263 7th of 51 | $6,991 51st of 51 |
| Prison PopulationPrivate Prisons by State | 9,738 24th of 26 | 45 2nd of 26 |
| Avg Annual FatalitiesDeadliest Highway by State | 35 47th of 50 | 5.5 4th of 50 |
| % of Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 14.0% tied 45th of 51 | 2% tied 1st of 51 |
| Nurses per 1k PopulationNurse-Patient Ratios by State | 7.61 45th of 51 | 15.78 2nd of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate JulyUnemployment Rate by State | 4.9 tied 43rd of 51 | 2 1st of 51 |
| Cancer Rate: New CasesCancer Rates by State | 375.4 per 100k 1st of 51 | 490.2 per 100k 43rd of 51 |
| Dealer Max Vehicle TaxCar Dealer Fees by State | 11.2% tied 40th of 45 | 4% tied 4th of 45 |
| Family-RelatedMost Stressed States | 10th 10th worst of 50 | 50th best of 50 |
| % of Freshwater Fish Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 85.7% 51st of 51 | 5.6% tied 10th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 1,919 4th of 48 | 7,633 42nd of 48 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 102.8 42nd of 51 | 91.9 2nd of 51 |
| % of Insured Adult Males Age 18-64 Who Undergo Circumcision Each Year (NCBI 2015-2018)Circumcision Rates by State | 0.0626 40th of 50 | 0.195 1st of 50 |
| Median Price per AcreBest States To Homestead | $4,164 1st of 50 | $77,352 40th of 50 |
| Rates of Circumcision in Insured Adult Males Age 18-64 (NCBI 2015-2018)Circumcision Rates by State | 62.6 per 100k person-years 40th of 50 | 194.8 per 100k person-years 1st of 50 |
| Campsite Quality (1-10)Best States for Camping | 2.8 45th of 49 | 8.65 7th of 49 |
| Average Cost per AcreCheapest Land by State | $4,200 1st of 48 | $77,400 38th of 48 |
| Overall Price Per AcreAcre Value by State | $4,200 1st of 48 | $77,400 38th of 48 |
| Education Racial Progress RankLeast Racist States | 11th 11th of 51 | 50th 50th of 51 |
| Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State | 49.2% 46th of 51 | 34.6% 7th of 51 |
| Annual Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $91,320 9th of 51 | $65,300 48th of 51 |
| Hourly Median WageSonographer Salary by State | $43.90 9th of 51 | $31.40 48th of 51 |
| Species Diversity Rank (01-51)Most Biodiverse States | 3rd 3rd of 51 | 42nd 42nd of 51 |
| State Highway Accidents 2018-2022Jaywalking Laws By State | 5.94% 1st of 46 | 41.7% 36th of 46 |
| Weather RankBest States to Retire | 4th 4th of 50 | 42nd 42nd of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Arizona or South Dakota?
- South Dakota comes out ahead of Arizona on 438 of 794 statistics where one end is better, to 350 with 6 ties. Arizona leads on Politics & Government, Health and Economics. South Dakota leads on Infrastructure & Energy, Environment and Facts & Trivia and 9 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Arizona or South Dakota?
- Arizona has a population of 7,691,212 (14th of 51 US states) and South Dakota has 943,078 (46th of 51).
- How do Arizona and South Dakota compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Arizona $79,964 (21st of 51), South Dakota $75,081 (31st of 51) among US states. Arizona ranks better.
- How do Arizona and South Dakota compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Arizona 4.3% (tied 33rd of 51), South Dakota 2.1% (1st of 51) among US states. South Dakota ranks better.
- Where does Arizona beat South Dakota most clearly?
- Arizona ranks far ahead on Overall Racial Integration Score (Least Racist States): 72.76 vs 50; Crematory Fee (Average Funeral Cost by State): $317 vs $712; Corruption Score (BestLife) (Most Corrupt States): 94.82 vs 3.87.
- Where does South Dakota beat Arizona most clearly?
- South Dakota ranks far ahead on % of Vascular Plant Species at Risk (Most Biodiverse States): 0.9% vs 15.3%; Prison Population (Private Prisons by State): 45 vs 9,738; Avg Annual Fatalities (Deadliest Highway by State): 5.5 vs 35.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Arizona or South Dakota.
- Alabama vs Arizona
- Alaska vs Arizona
- Arizona vs Arkansas
- Arizona vs California
- Arizona vs Colorado
- Arizona vs Connecticut
- Arizona vs Delaware
- Arizona vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs South Dakota
- Alaska vs South Dakota
- Arkansas vs South Dakota
- California vs South Dakota
- Colorado vs South Dakota
- Connecticut vs South Dakota
- Delaware vs South Dakota
- District of Columbia vs South Dakota