Kentucky vs South Dakota
South Dakota comes out ahead of Kentucky on 459 of 786 statistics where one end is better, to 316 with 11 ties. Kentucky leads on Travel, Agriculture and Sports and 2 more categories. South Dakota leads on Facts & Trivia, Environment and Culture and 8 more categories.
786 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 11 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 316
- Avg. percentile
- 43
- Categories led
- 5
- Wins
- 459
- Avg. percentile
- 52
- Categories led
- 11
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Kentucky | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,629,682 25th of 51 | 943,078 46th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $63,726 47th of 51 | $75,081 31st of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.6% tied 40th of 51 | 2.1% 1st of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 16.1% 47th of 51 | 11.9% 27th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 90.2 12th of 51 | 88.6 6th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $52,290 46th of 51 | $69,153 5th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $58,990 44th of 51 | $57,610 45th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $967 6th of 51 | $946 2nd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 212.1 9th of 51 | 307.5 28th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 4,396 16th of 48 | 7,633 42nd of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Facts & TriviaSouth Dakota · 18 statistics
- EnvironmentSouth Dakota · 38 statistics
- CultureSouth Dakota · 78 statistics
- HealthSouth Dakota · 182 statistics
- TravelKentucky · 29 statistics
- GeographySouth Dakota · 25 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergySouth Dakota · 35 statistics
- PopulationSouth Dakota · 121 statistics
- AgricultureKentucky · 17 statistics
- SportsKentucky · 16 statistics
- LawSouth Dakota · 64 statistics
- Tech & BusinessSouth Dakota · 48 statistics
- EconomicsSouth Dakota · 288 statistics
- EducationSouth Dakota · 51 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentKentucky · 121 statistics
- Crime & SafetyKentucky · 74 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Kentucky | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid Use Rate (Per 100k)Opioid Epidemic by State | 3,297.06 50th of 51 | 1,221.13 3rd of 51 |
| Dental Services Cost per CapitaHealth Care Costs by State | $340 1st of 51 | $577 tied 47th of 51 |
| Age-Adjusted Depression RateDepression Rates by State | 27.6% 48th of 49 | 17.2% tied 3rd of 49 |
| Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - MenDomestic Violence by State | 48.8% 48th of 51 | 28.3% 2nd of 51 |
| Total Drug Use RateDrug Use by State | 5,324 per 100k 49th of 51 | 2,569 per 100k 3rd of 51 |
| Prevalence Of Depression 2021Most Depressed States | 27.0% 49th of 50 | 16.5% 4th of 50 |
| Work Environment RankHappiest States | 47th 47th of 50 | 3rd 2nd of 50 |
| Crude Depression RateDepression Rates by State | 27.0% 48th of 49 | 16.5% 4th of 49 |
| FTE Reporter RankMost Corrupt States | 1st worst of 49 | 44th 5th best of 49 |
| Amphetamine Use Rate (Per 100k)Drug Use by State | 584.65 50th of 51 | 255.84 5th of 51 |
| Health Care RankDisability Benefits by State | 4th 4th of 51 | 49th 49th of 51 |
| Economy RankQuality of Life by State | 49th 49th of 50 | 5th 5th of 50 |
| # Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023Prison Population by State | -2.9 tied 4th of 49 | 9.3 47th of 49 |
| Other Drug Use Rate (Per 100k)Drug Use by State | 73.16 45th of 51 | 42.07 1st of 51 |
| Workplace Safety Rank WalletHubSafest States in the US | 4th 4th of 50 | 47th 47th of 50 |
| Depression RatesHealthiest States | 28.3 49th of 50 | 18.2 6th of 50 |
| Overall RankWorst States to Retire | 1st worst of 50 | 44th 7th best of 50 |
| Annual Mean WageOptometrist Salary by State | $152,100 3rd of 47 | $108,280 43rd of 47 |
| Hourly Mean WageOptometrist Salary by State | $73.12 3rd of 47 | $52.06 43rd of 47 |
| Financial Safety Rank WalletHubSafest States in the US | 46th 46th of 50 | 4th 4th of 50 |
| Single Family (Max Appraisal Fees in State)Appraisal Fees by State | $650 tied 1st of 51 | $1,000 tied 42nd of 51 |
| Drug Deaths Per 100kHealthiest States | 45.9 44th of 51 | 10.3 2nd of 51 |
| Prisoners, American Indian/Alaskan NativePrison Population by State | 19 6th of 49 | 1,473 46th of 49 |
| InmatesFederal Prisons by State | 6,123 31st of 36 | 343 2nd of 36 |
| Getting Insufficient SleepHealthiest States | 39.3% 47th of 51 | 31.2% 6th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $52,290 46th of 51 | $69,153 5th of 51 |
| SSI Legislative Accountability ScoreMost Corrupt States | 73.5 5th of 50 | 52.9 45th of 50 |
| EconomyBest States to Live In | 45th 44th of 49 | 5th 5th of 49 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.6% tied 40th of 51 | 2.1% 1st of 51 |
| Overall Racial Integration ScoreLeast Racist States | 68.49 9th of 51 | 50 49th of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Kentucky or South Dakota?
- South Dakota comes out ahead of Kentucky on 459 of 786 statistics where one end is better, to 316 with 11 ties. Kentucky leads on Travel, Agriculture and Sports and 2 more categories. South Dakota leads on Facts & Trivia, Environment and Culture and 8 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Kentucky or South Dakota?
- Kentucky has a population of 4,629,682 (25th of 51 US states) and South Dakota has 943,078 (46th of 51).
- How do Kentucky and South Dakota compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Kentucky $63,726 (47th of 51), South Dakota $75,081 (31st of 51) among US states. South Dakota ranks better.
- How do Kentucky and South Dakota compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Kentucky 4.6% (tied 40th of 51), South Dakota 2.1% (1st of 51) among US states. South Dakota ranks better.
- Where does Kentucky beat South Dakota most clearly?
- Kentucky ranks far ahead on Dental Services Cost per Capita (Health Care Costs by State): $340 vs $577; Health Care Rank (Disability Benefits by State): 4th vs 49th; # Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023 (Prison Population by State): -2.9 vs 9.3.
- Where does South Dakota beat Kentucky most clearly?
- South Dakota ranks far ahead on Opioid Use Rate (Per 100k) (Opioid Epidemic by State): 1,221.13 vs 3,297.06; Age-Adjusted Depression Rate (Depression Rates by State): 17.2% vs 27.6%; Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - Men (Domestic Violence by State): 28.3% vs 48.8%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Kentucky or South Dakota.
- Alabama vs Kentucky
- Alaska vs Kentucky
- Arizona vs Kentucky
- Arkansas vs Kentucky
- California vs Kentucky
- Colorado vs Kentucky
- Connecticut vs Kentucky
- Delaware vs Kentucky
- Alabama vs South Dakota
- Alaska vs South Dakota
- Arizona vs South Dakota
- Arkansas vs South Dakota
- California vs South Dakota
- Colorado vs South Dakota
- Connecticut vs South Dakota
- Delaware vs South Dakota