Brookings, SD vs Pierre, SD

Brookings, SD and Pierre, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Brookings scores 78 while Pierre scores 78 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 Brookings is $862/month compared to $936/month in Pierre — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brookings has cheaper rent, Pierre actually has lower median home values ($219,500 vs $243,600).

Median household income in Brookings is $61,979 compared to $74,053 in Pierre (-16.3%). While Pierre is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookings spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Pierre.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.1°F vs 47°F). Brookings receives more rainfall at 29.6" per year compared to 20.2" in Pierre.