Custer, SD vs Lake Norden, SD

Custer, SD and Lake Norden, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Custer scores 79 while Lake Norden scores 77 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 Custer is $926/month compared to $956/month in Lake Norden — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Custer has cheaper rent, Lake Norden actually has lower median home values ($201,400 vs $229,500).

Median household income in Custer is $80,188 compared to $71,923 in Lake Norden (+11.5%). While Custer is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Custer spend roughly 13.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Lake Norden.

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