City Comparison
Brandon vs Spearfish
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brandon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brandon
Spearfish
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spearfish is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Brandon.
| Metric | Brandon | Spearfish | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,150 | +9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,030 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brandon offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brandon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brandon is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Spearfish.
| Metric | Brandon | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 57,143 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 9.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brandon | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 79.20°F |
| Winter Low | 9.50°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | 22.50 in |
| Snowfall | 22.60 in | 31.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | 272 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spearfish has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Brandon.
For walkability, Spearfish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brandon | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spearfish is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Brandon.
From a growth perspective, Brandon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Brandon | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,486 | 12,193 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brandon
Advantages
Exceptional local school district (Brandon Valley School District) frequently recognized for academic and athletic excellence
Significantly lower crime rates and higher safety profile compared to the national U.S. average
Favorable tax environment featuring no state personal income tax in South Dakota
Convenient proximity to Sioux Falls providing access to major healthcare systems and employment centers
Rapidly growing community with modern housing developments and extensive neighborhood parks
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure within the city
Rising housing costs and increasing property values driven by strong demand and limited inventory
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring adaptation to harsh seasonal weather conditions
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, requiring trips to Sioux Falls
Competitive real estate market for prospective home buyers looking to settle in top-tier school zones
Spearfish
Advantages
Stunning natural setting with direct access to Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills recreation
Exceptionally low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety
Absence of state personal income tax in South Dakota
Home to Black Hills State University, bringing cultural events and educational opportunities
Over 270 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with limited geographic expansion space
Higher cost of living compared to the rural South Dakota average
Cold winter temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall
Limited public transportation options requiring car ownership
Nontrivial seasonal tourist traffic during peak summer months
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brandon
#7South Dakota, USA
77.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
Spearfish
#70South Dakota, USA
69.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
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