City Comparison
Madison vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Aberdeen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
38% lower than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Madison | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $1,250 | -38% |
| Groceries | $0 | $388 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $288 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $80 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $305 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $2,311 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 69% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$30,960 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Madison | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $50,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 47.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 22.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Aberdeen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Madison.
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 | Madison | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 1.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with average rent significantly lower than the national average.
Low violent crime rate, making it a safe place to live with a 'A' safety grade.
Short average commute time of 11.4 minutes, allowing for more personal time.
Strong presence of educational institutions like Dakota State University, contributing to a youthful atmosphere.
Generally lower median property values compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with an 'Exceptionally Drivable' score and limited transit reach.
Walkability is moderate, with a score of 50/100, indicating that most daily errands would require a vehicle.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Limited major retail and entertainment options within the city, requiring travel to larger centers like Sioux Falls.
The job market has seen a slight decline in employment in recent years.
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.
Madison
#10South Dakota, USA
75.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$774
Avg Salary
$65,593
Cost Index
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
4.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
47.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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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