| Index | Pierre | South Dakota | National |
| Cost of living | 97 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Pierre allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Pierre stands at 97, marking it 3% lower than the national average.
In Pierre, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Pierre will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Pierre an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Pierre is 0.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 24% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pierre has a median household income of $99,712, which is 22.6% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pierre, healthcare costs are 1.8% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Pierre, the utilities index is 1.9% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Pierre, the transportation index stands at 1.7% lower than the national average.
The Pierre cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $132,445 | $11,037 | $3,090 | $3,974 |
| Renters | $51,686 | $4,307 | $1,206 | $1,551 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Dakota | 4.5% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Dakota | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cow Creek, SD | 92 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Fort Pierre, SD | 2,552 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Pierre, SD | 14,450 | 97 | 3.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jericho, NY | 14,448 | 194 | 93.5% |
| Oak Park, CA | 14,446 | 201 | 100.7% |
| Hudson, WI | 14,446 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Lake Wylie, SC | 14,454 | 120 | 19.7% |
| Dumas, TX | 14,460 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Pierre, SD | 14,450 | 97 | 3.2% |
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