Clear Lake, SD vs Hot Springs, SD

Clear Lake is moderately more affordable than Hot Springs, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. Clear Lake scores 64 compared to 71 for Hot Springs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hot Springs 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 $854/month in Hot Springs — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clear Lake is more affordable at $144,400 median vs $168,200.

Median household income in Clear Lake is $65,398 compared to $49,688 in Hot Springs (+31.6%). Clear Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.6% in Hot Springs.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43°F vs 43.2°F). Clear Lake receives more rainfall at 22.7" per year compared to 19.8" in Hot Springs.