Alexandria, SD vs Parkston, SD

Alexandria, SD and Parkston, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Alexandria scores 67 while Parkston scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $714/month compared to $725/month in Parkston — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alexandria has cheaper rent, Parkston actually has lower median home values ($145,500 vs $168,300).

Median household income in Alexandria is $92,500 compared to $71,313 in Parkston (+29.7%). While Alexandria is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alexandria spend roughly 9.3% of their income on rent, less than the 12.2% in Parkston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.7°F vs 47.7°F). Parkston receives more rainfall at 21.1" per year compared to 21.1" in Alexandria.