Chamberlain, SD vs Lake Madison, SD

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chamberlain is 24.5% cheaper than Lake Madison. With a cost index of 68 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chamberlain to Lake Madison should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chamberlain is $682/month compared to $595/month in Lake Madison — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Madison has cheaper rent, Chamberlain actually has lower median home values ($195,300 vs $496,600).

Median household income in Chamberlain is $75,000 compared to $116,648 in Lake Madison (-35.7%). 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 Chamberlain spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, more than the 6.1% in Lake Madison.

Climate-wise, Chamberlain is notably warmer with an average of 48.2°F compared to 45.1°F in Lake Madison. Lake Madison receives more rainfall at 29.6" per year compared to 20.4" in Chamberlain.