Mitchell 77 Exceptional
Mitchell Livability #18 ranked city in South Dakota#2,863 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Mitchell

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Mitchell?

Located in the state of South Dakota, Mitchell is a mid-sized city with a population of 16,163 inhabitants. At 91%, the majority of the Mitchell population is White; this is followed by 2% Asian and 2% American Indian and Alaskan. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Mitchell will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 11 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Mitchell, 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. Finding the best places to live in Mitchell and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

The livability score in Mitchell is 76/100 and the city is ranked in the 90th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Mitchell is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Another exciting tidbit, is that Mitchell ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Mitchell scores well for housing (A+)

The unemployment rate in Mitchell has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.9%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Mitchell market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Mitchell 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 Mitchell. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Mitchell are simply unattainable. The median home price for Mitchell homes is $272,145, which is 4.5% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Mitchell, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 24.2% higher than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mitchell

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Mitchell?

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Compare Mitchell, SD Livability

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      Mitchell transportation information

      Statistic Mitchell South Dakota National
      Average one way commute11min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.3%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.9%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.3%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home3.4%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Mitchell, 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.