City Comparison
Vermillion vs Pierre
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pierre scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vermillion
Pierre
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vermillion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Pierre.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vermillion's average rent is
11% lower than Pierre's.
| Metric | Vermillion | Pierre | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $1,835 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pierre offers 7% lower 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 Vermillion is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Pierre.
| Metric | Vermillion | Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $53,200 | $67,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Vermillion sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vermillion | Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 50.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 13.60°F | 12.90°F |
| Rainfall | 31.10 in | 27.10 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 16.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 286 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 62.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 22.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pierre is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Vermillion.
From a growth perspective, Vermillion is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Vermillion | Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,718 | 14,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 24.5 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.80% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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