Performance
Score Breakdown
Dell Rapids
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dell Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% lower compared to Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dell Rapids's average rent is
100% lower than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,250 | -100% |
| Groceries | $500 | $388 | +29% |
| Utilities | $200 | $288 | -31% |
| Transport | $150 | $80 | +88% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $305 | -2% |
| Monthly Total | $1,150 | $2,311 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dell Rapids offers 50% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dell Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dell Rapids is estimated at
$75,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,307 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,786 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $100,170 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Dell Rapids.
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 | Dell Rapids | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,815 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
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.
Dell Rapids
#56South Dakota, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
Aberdeen
#73South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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