City Comparison
Mitchell vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mitchell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mitchell
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mitchell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mitchell's average rent is
32% lower than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Mitchell | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,250 | -32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $388 | -2% |
| Utilities | $160 | $288 | -44% |
| Transport | $110 | $80 | +38% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $305 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,311 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mitchell offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mitchell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mitchell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Mitchell | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,674 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mitchell runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mitchell comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mitchell sees 20.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mitchell | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mitchell.
Mitchell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mitchell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mitchell | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Mitchell.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mitchell | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,660 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mitchell
Advantages
Median home price is significantly lower than the US national average per Zillow 2024 data
Average commute time is under 15 minutes, offering exceptional daily convenience
Crime rates in Mitchell are well below both South Dakota and national averages
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Avera Queen of Peace Hospital
Access to higher education and community programs via Dakota Wesleyan University
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions require preparation and winterized vehicles
Limited public transit options require residents to rely heavily on personal vehicles
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions compared to larger metropolitan hubs
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults seeking a bustling city scene
Distance from major major metropolitan airports requires driving to Sioux Falls for flights
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mitchell
#95South Dakota, USA
67.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
Aberdeen
#355South Dakota, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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