Bonesteel, SD vs Lake Madison, SD

The cost of living difference between Bonesteel, SD and Lake Madison, SD is dramatic. Bonesteel is 39.7% cheaper than Lake Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bonesteel has a cost index of 54 while Lake Madison sits at 90, 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 Bonesteel is $580/month compared to $595/month in Lake Madison — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bonesteel is more affordable at $65,000 median vs $496,600.

Median household income in Bonesteel is $40,750 compared to $116,648 in Lake Madison (-65.1%). While Lake Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bonesteel spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 6.1% in Lake Madison.

Climate-wise, Bonesteel is notably warmer with an average of 50.2°F compared to 45.1°F in Lake Madison. Lake Madison receives more rainfall at 29.6" per year compared to 19.5" in Bonesteel.