City Comparison
Pierre vs Spearfish
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spearfish scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Spearfish
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pierre is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Spearfish.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pierre's average rent is
17% lower than Spearfish's.
| Metric | Pierre | Spearfish | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,030 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pierre offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pierre delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pierre is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Spearfish.
| Metric | Pierre | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 57,143 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 15.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | 79.20°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | 22.50 in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | 31.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 272 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Spearfish.
For walkability, Spearfish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pierre is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Spearfish.
From a growth perspective, Spearfish is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Pierre | Spearfish |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 12,193 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.80% |
| 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.
Spearfish
Advantages
Stunning natural setting with direct access to Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills recreation
Exceptionally low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety
Absence of state personal income tax in South Dakota
Home to Black Hills State University, bringing cultural events and educational opportunities
Over 270 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with limited geographic expansion space
Higher cost of living compared to the rural South Dakota average
Cold winter temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall
Limited public transportation options requiring car ownership
Nontrivial seasonal tourist traffic during peak summer months
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
Spearfish
#70South Dakota, USA
69.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
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