City Comparison
Yankton vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Yankton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yankton
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yankton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yankton's average rent is
32% lower than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Yankton | 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
Yankton offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Yankton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yankton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Yankton | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $60,500 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Yankton runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Yankton comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Yankton sees 19.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yankton | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Yankton.
Yankton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yankton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yankton | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Yankton.
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 | Yankton | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,411 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yankton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River.
Low crime rates and a strong sense of personal safety across local neighborhoods.
Robust local healthcare services anchored by Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to urban centers.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure increases reliance on personal vehicles.
Cold winter temperatures and significant snowfall require seasonal preparation.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions compared to larger metro areas.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for younger demographics.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural and shopping centers.
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.
Yankton
#81South Dakota, USA
68.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°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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