City Comparison
Watertown vs Dell Rapids
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Watertown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Watertown
Dell Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Watertown | Dell Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $500 | -24% |
| Utilities | $160 | $200 | -20% |
| Transport | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $300 | -30% |
| Monthly Total | $1,700 | $1,150 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dell Rapids offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dell Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Watertown is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Dell Rapids.
| Metric | Watertown | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,307 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 64,786 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $100,170 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Watertown runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Watertown comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Watertown sees 33.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Watertown | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 6.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Watertown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
Watertown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Watertown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Watertown | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Watertown is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Watertown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Watertown | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,655 | 3,815 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 1.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Dell Rapids
#72South Dakota, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
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