Alpena, SD vs Piedmont, SD

The cost of living difference between Alpena, SD and Piedmont, SD is dramatic. Alpena is 32.4% cheaper than Piedmont, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alpena has a cost index of 62 while Piedmont sits at 91, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alpena is $867/month compared to $1,176/month in Piedmont — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alpena is more affordable at $46,100 median vs $290,100.

Median household income in Alpena is $65,417 compared to $52,730 in Piedmont (+24.1%). Alpena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alpena spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Piedmont.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.9°F vs 46.7°F). Alpena receives more rainfall at 23.3" per year compared to 17.4" in Piedmont.