City Comparison
Madison vs Mitchell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Mitchell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Mitchell.
| Metric | Madison | Mitchell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $850 | -9% |
| Groceries | $0 | $380 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $160 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $110 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $1,720 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 21% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$30,960 vs $45,000 in Mitchell.
| Metric | Madison | Mitchell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $58,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Mitchell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 83.00°F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | 11.70°F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | 24.40 in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | 20.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | 272 |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mitchell.
Mitchell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mitchell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Mitchell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mitchell is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Mitchell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Mitchell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 15,660 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 2.80% |
| 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.
Mitchell
Advantages
Median home price is significantly lower than the US national average per Zillow 2024 data
Average commute time is under 15 minutes, offering exceptional daily convenience
Crime rates in Mitchell are well below both South Dakota and national averages
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Avera Queen of Peace Hospital
Access to higher education and community programs via Dakota Wesleyan University
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions require preparation and winterized vehicles
Limited public transit options require residents to rely heavily on personal vehicles
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions compared to larger metropolitan hubs
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults seeking a bustling city scene
Distance from major major metropolitan airports requires driving to Sioux Falls for flights
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
Mitchell
#95South Dakota, USA
67.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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