Chamberlain, SD vs Fort Thompson, SD
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fort Thompson is 21.4% cheaper than Chamberlain. With a cost index of 56 vs 68, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fort Thompson to Chamberlain should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Chamberlain is $682/month compared to $515/month in Fort Thompson — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Thompson is more affordable at $110,300 median vs $195,300.
Median household income in Chamberlain is $75,000 compared to $45,313 in Fort Thompson (+65.5%). While Chamberlain is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chamberlain spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 13.6% in Fort Thompson.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.2°F vs 48.2°F). Fort Thompson receives more rainfall at 20.4" per year compared to 20.4" in Chamberlain.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)