City Comparison
Spearfish vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spearfish scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spearfish
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spearfish is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Spearfish | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,250 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $388 | -2% |
| Utilities | $170 | $288 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $80 | +38% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $305 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $2,030 | $2,311 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spearfish offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Spearfish delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Spearfish is estimated at
$48,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Spearfish | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Spearfish runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Spearfish comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 31.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spearfish | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Spearfish.
Spearfish scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spearfish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spearfish | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Spearfish.
From a growth perspective, Spearfish is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Spearfish | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,193 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Aberdeen
#355South Dakota, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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