City Comparison
Spearfish vs Madison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spearfish
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Spearfish.
Housing costs are a major driver: Spearfish's average rent is
49% higher than Madison's.
| Metric | Spearfish | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $774 | +49% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,030 | $774 | +162% |
| Cost Index | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 15% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Spearfish is estimated at
$48,000 vs $30,960 in Madison.
| Metric | Spearfish | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $65,593 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $30,960 |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $65,593 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 9.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spearfish | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | 47.60°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | 8.80°F |
| Rainfall | 22.50 in | 29.00 in |
| Snowfall | 31.90 in | 22.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | 277 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison 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 | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 4.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spearfish is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Spearfish is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Spearfish | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,193 | 6,094 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.00% |
| 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
Madison
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with average rent significantly lower than the national average.
Low violent crime rate, making it a safe place to live with a 'A' safety grade.
Short average commute time of 11.4 minutes, allowing for more personal time.
Strong presence of educational institutions like Dakota State University, contributing to a youthful atmosphere.
Generally lower median property values compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with an 'Exceptionally Drivable' score and limited transit reach.
Walkability is moderate, with a score of 50/100, indicating that most daily errands would require a vehicle.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Limited major retail and entertainment options within the city, requiring travel to larger centers like Sioux Falls.
The job market has seen a slight decline in employment in recent years.
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
Madison
#10South Dakota, USA
75.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$774
Avg Salary
$65,593
Cost Index
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
4.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
47.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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