City Comparison
Vermillion vs Madison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vermillion
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Vermillion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vermillion's average rent is
10% higher than Madison's.
| Metric | Vermillion | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $774 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $774 | +122% |
| Cost Index | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 18% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vermillion is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,960 in Madison.
| Metric | Vermillion | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,593 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,960 |
| Household Income | $53,200 | $65,593 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vermillion | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 47.60°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 13.60°F | 8.80°F |
| Rainfall | 31.10 in | 29.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 22.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 277 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Vermillion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vermillion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vermillion | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 4.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vermillion is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Vermillion 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 | Vermillion | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,718 | 6,094 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 24.5 | 40.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vermillion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and students.
The presence of the University of South Dakota enriches the community with cultural events, arts, and continuing education.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying daily life.
Strong local healthcare access anchored by Sanford Vermillion medical facilities.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall, typical of the Northern Plains region.
Limited public transit options mean residents almost entirely rely on personal vehicles.
Local job market options can be narrower outside of education, healthcare, and public administration sectors.
Distance from major metropolitan areas requires significant travel for major flight hubs or specialized entertainment.
Rental market can experience seasonal tightness driven by the university academic calendar.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vermillion
#106South Dakota, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Vermillion and Madison.
Open Cost Calculator