City Comparison
Madison vs Yankton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Yankton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Yankton.
| Metric | Madison | Yankton | 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 | 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 Yankton.
| Metric | Madison | Yankton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $60,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 3.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Yankton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | 51.40°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | 14.00°F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | 28.60 in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | 19.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | 269 |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Yankton.
Yankton 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 | Yankton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yankton is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Yankton 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 | Yankton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 15,411 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 41.2 |
| 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.
Yankton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River.
Low crime rates and a strong sense of personal safety across local neighborhoods.
Robust local healthcare services anchored by Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to urban centers.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure increases reliance on personal vehicles.
Cold winter temperatures and significant snowfall require seasonal preparation.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions compared to larger metro areas.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for younger demographics.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural and shopping centers.
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
Yankton
#81South Dakota, USA
68.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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