Irene, SD vs Letcher, SD

Irene, SD and Letcher, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Irene scores 62 while Letcher scores 62 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 Irene is $781/month compared to $755/month in Letcher — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Letcher has cheaper rent, Irene actually has lower median home values ($87,100 vs $88,000).

Median household income in Irene is $59,091 compared to $67,500 in Letcher (-12.5%). Letcher offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Irene spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in Letcher.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.7°F vs 47.7°F). Irene receives more rainfall at 28.7" per year compared to 21.1" in Letcher.