Hot Springs 79 Exceptional
Hot Springs Livability #9 ranked city in South Dakota#2,212 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Hot Springs

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

What's it like Living in Hot Springs?

Located in the state of South Dakota, Hot Springs is a small city with a population of 3,586 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (78% White). Given that fact, Hot Springs could be considered less diverse than other cities. The Hot Springs population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 55, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. In Hot Springs, only 46% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Hot Springs offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Hot Springs, South Dakota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hot Springs and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hot Springs to South Dakota and the national average.

The livability score in Hot Springs is 78 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. This is a great score, as Hot Springs ranks well in multiple categories! The cherry on top is that Hot Springs also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Hot Springs ranks very well for crime (A-) and housing (A+). Hot Springs does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Hot Springs gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 190 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Hot Springs, the unemployment rate stands at 1.8%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Hot Springs can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Hot Springs real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Hot Springs. The median home price for Hot Springs homes is $232,857, which is 10.6% lower than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hot Springs, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 6.1% higher than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hot Springs

See all the best places to live around Hot Springs

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Compare Hot Springs, SD Livability

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      Hot Springs transportation information

      Statistic Hot Springs South Dakota National
      Average one way commute16min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.6%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool1.7%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk10.9%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home11.8%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Hot Springs, SD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.