Brookings, SD vs Spearfish, SD

Brookings is moderately more affordable than Spearfish, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Brookings scores 78 compared to 85 for Spearfish, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Spearfish can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookings is $862/month compared to $941/month in Spearfish — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brookings is more affordable at $243,600 median vs $309,200.

Median household income in Brookings is $61,979 compared to $59,731 in Spearfish (+3.8%). Brookings offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookings spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Spearfish.