City Comparison
Madison vs Watertown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Watertown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
54% lower than in Watertown.
| Metric | Madison | Watertown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $850 | -9% |
| Groceries | $0 | $380 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $160 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $100 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $210 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $1,700 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 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 Watertown.
| Metric | Madison | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Watertown sees 10.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | 45.70°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | 6.10°F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | 32.00 in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | 33.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | 268 |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Watertown.
Watertown 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 | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Watertown is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Watertown 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 | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 22,655 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.10% |
| 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.
Watertown
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities centered around Lake Kampeska and Lake Pelican.
Strong local economy driven by stable manufacturing and healthcare employers like Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
Highly regarded technical education and workforce training via Lake Area Technical College.
Low crime rates and safe, family-friendly neighborhoods across the community.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings harsh sub-freezing temperatures and notable snowfall totals.
Limited public transportation options necessitate car ownership for daily commuting.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs and large international airports.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban areas.
Colder months can lead to seasonal constraints on outdoor recreational activities.
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
Watertown
#71South Dakota, USA
69.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
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