Clear Lake, SD vs Emery, SD

Emery is moderately more affordable than Clear Lake, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Clear Lake scores 64 compared to 61 for Emery, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Clear Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clear Lake is $679/month compared to $619/month in Emery — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Emery is more affordable at $125,000 median vs $144,400.

Median household income in Clear Lake is $65,398 compared to $62,679 in Emery (+4.3%). The higher salaries in Clear Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Emery.

Climate-wise, Emery is notably warmer with an average of 47.7°F compared to 43°F in Clear Lake. Clear Lake receives more rainfall at 22.7" per year compared to 21.1" in Emery.