Clear Lake, SD vs Montrose, SD

Clear Lake, SD and Montrose, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Clear Lake scores 64 while Montrose scores 64 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clear Lake is $679/month compared to $498/month in Montrose — a 36% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Montrose has cheaper rent, Clear Lake actually has lower median home values ($144,400 vs $216,700).

Median household income in Clear Lake is $65,398 compared to $86,000 in Montrose (-24%). While Montrose is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clear Lake spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, more than the 6.9% in Montrose.

Climate-wise, Montrose is notably warmer with an average of 47.4°F compared to 43°F in Clear Lake. Montrose receives more rainfall at 27.8" per year compared to 22.7" in Clear Lake.