Mountain Plains, SD vs Salem, SD

The cost of living difference between Mountain Plains, SD and Salem, SD is dramatic. Salem is 69.2% cheaper than Mountain Plains, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mountain Plains has a cost index of 121 while Salem sits at 72, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Mountain Plains are $606,100 compared to $163,500 in Salem, a 271% gap.

Median household income in Mountain Plains is $166,641 compared to $71,655 in Salem (+132.6%). While Mountain Plains is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.