City Comparison
Pierre vs Watertown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Watertown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Watertown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Watertown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Pierre.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pierre's average rent is
12% higher than Watertown's.
| Metric | Pierre | Watertown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $160 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,700 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pierre offers 7% 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 $45,000 in Watertown.
| Metric | Pierre | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 61,364 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Watertown sees 16.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | 45.70°F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | 77.40°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 6.10°F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | 32.00 in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | 33.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 268 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Watertown.
For walkability, Pierre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 28.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Watertown is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Pierre.
From a growth perspective, Watertown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pierre has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pierre | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 22,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.10% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Pierre and Watertown.
Open Cost Calculator