Belle Fourche, SD vs Custer, SD

Belle Fourche, SD and Custer, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Belle Fourche scores 76 while Custer scores 79 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 Belle Fourche is $947/month compared to $926/month in Custer — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Custer has cheaper rent, Belle Fourche actually has lower median home values ($188,800 vs $229,500).

Median household income in Belle Fourche is $59,920 compared to $80,188 in Custer (-25.3%). While Custer is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Fourche spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Custer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (41.1°F vs 43.2°F). Belle Fourche receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 19.8" in Custer.