Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Brookings is a medium-sized city located in the state of South Dakota. The city has a population of 25,380 people. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Brookings residents are White, 4% Asian and 2% Black. Brookings tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 25 is far below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Brookings, only 37% of the population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Brookings offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 13 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Brookings, South Dakota could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Brookings and in the areas around Brookings is a much easier task.
The livability score in Brookings is 77/100 and the city is ranked in the 90th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Brookings is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Brookings has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Brookings has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A-), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+).
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Brookings, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 85 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Brookings has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Brookings meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Brookings. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Brookings are simply unattainable. The median home price for Brookings homes is $342,415, which is 31.4% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Brookings, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 30.3% higher than the South Dakota average.
| Statistic | Brookings | South Dakota | National |
| Average one way commute | 13min | 17min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.0% | 79.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.9% | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.6% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.1% | 5.5% | 4.6% |
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