Fort Thompson, SD vs Waubay, SD

Fort Thompson, SD and Waubay, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Fort Thompson scores 56 while Waubay scores 58 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 Fort Thompson is $515/month compared to $583/month in Waubay — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Thompson has cheaper rent, Waubay actually has lower median home values ($105,000 vs $110,300).

Median household income in Fort Thompson is $45,313 compared to $36,635 in Waubay (+23.7%). Fort Thompson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Thompson spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Waubay.