Arlington, SD vs North Spearfish, SD
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 26% cheaper than North Spearfish. With a cost index of 67 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to North Spearfish should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $836/month compared to $1,074/month in North Spearfish — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $122,400 median vs $321,800.
Median household income in Arlington is $67,083 compared to $69,792 in North Spearfish (-3.9%). North Spearfish does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in North Spearfish.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43°F vs 41.1°F). North Spearfish receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 22.7" in Arlington.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)