City Comparison
Pierre vs Dell Rapids
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dell Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Dell Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Pierre | Dell Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $500 | -24% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $300 | -27% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,150 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dell Rapids offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dell Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pierre is estimated at
$48,000 vs $75,000 in Dell Rapids.
| Metric | Pierre | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,307 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 64,786 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $100,170 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pierre runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pierre sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
Pierre scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pierre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pierre is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Pierre is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pierre | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 3,815 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pierre
Advantages
State capital status provides exceptionally stable public sector and government employment opportunities.
Crime rates in Pierre are significantly lower than the national average, ensuring high community safety.
World-class hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are available directly along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to the national average and major coastal metropolitan markets.
Minimal traffic congestion leads to exceptionally short and stress-free daily commute times.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs can limit specialized shopping and entertainment choices.
Extreme winter weather conditions with cold temperatures and snowfall require careful preparation.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes personal vehicle ownership essentially mandatory.
Commercial flight options at the local airport can be limited and more expensive than larger regional hubs.
Limited local industry diversification outside of government, healthcare, and retail sectors.
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pierre
#97South Dakota, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
Dell Rapids
#72South Dakota, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Pierre and Dell Rapids.
Open Cost Calculator