Brandon is 12% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $104,806
and a population of 10,996.
Harrisburg is 4% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $101,534
and a population of 7,790.
Tea is 10% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $104,643
and a population of 6,339.
Sioux Falls is 16% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $74,714
and a population of 197,642.
Pierre is 22% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $74,053
and a population of 14,008.
Rapid Valley is 12% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $85,217
and a population of 7,153.
Box Elder is 5% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $73,698
and a population of 12,457.
Brookings is 22% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $61,979
and a population of 23,710.
Mitchell is 31% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $56,374
and a population of 15,637.
Yankton is 28% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $69,071
and a population of 15,501.
Madison is 26% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $62,180
and a population of 6,158.
Rapid City is 14% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $65,712
and a population of 76,836.
Huron is 30% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $51,556
and a population of 14,347.
Watertown is 24% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $62,721
and a population of 22,859.
Aberdeen is 28% cheaper
than the national average with a median income of $63,715
and a population of 28,297.
How We Rank the Best Places to Live
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average),
income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau),
housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and
climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates).
Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the
US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.