City Comparison
Vermillion vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vermillion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vermillion
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vermillion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vermillion's average rent is
32% lower than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Vermillion | 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 | 88 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vermillion offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vermillion delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vermillion is estimated at
$45,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Vermillion | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $53,200 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Vermillion runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Vermillion comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Vermillion sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vermillion | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Vermillion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vermillion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vermillion | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Vermillion.
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 | Vermillion | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,718 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 24.5 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vermillion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and students.
The presence of the University of South Dakota enriches the community with cultural events, arts, and continuing education.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying daily life.
Strong local healthcare access anchored by Sanford Vermillion medical facilities.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall, typical of the Northern Plains region.
Limited public transit options mean residents almost entirely rely on personal vehicles.
Local job market options can be narrower outside of education, healthcare, and public administration sectors.
Distance from major metropolitan areas requires significant travel for major flight hubs or specialized entertainment.
Rental market can experience seasonal tightness driven by the university academic calendar.
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.
Vermillion
#106South Dakota, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
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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