Arlington, SD vs Elk Point, SD

Arlington is moderately more affordable than Elk Point, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Arlington scores 67 compared to 74 for Elk Point, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elk Point can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $836/month compared to $801/month in Elk Point — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elk Point has cheaper rent, Arlington actually has lower median home values ($122,400 vs $228,400).

Median household income in Arlington is $67,083 compared to $83,250 in Elk Point (-19.4%). While Elk Point is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Elk Point.

Climate-wise, Elk Point is notably warmer with an average of 48.4°F compared to 43°F in Arlington. Elk Point receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 22.7" in Arlington.