Belle Fourche, SD vs Lead, SD

Belle Fourche, SD and Lead, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Belle Fourche scores 76 while Lead scores 73 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 $844/month in Lead — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lead has cheaper rent, Belle Fourche actually has lower median home values ($188,800 vs $192,800).

Median household income in Belle Fourche is $59,920 compared to $57,348 in Lead (+4.5%). While Belle Fourche 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 17.7% in Lead.

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