2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in South Dakota
Methodology Brief
This 2026 Ocity ranking of South Dakota’s top ten cities is the result of a rigorous, weighted algorithm designed to quantify livability. We analyzed three core data pillars: Safety (40% weight), Affordability (30% weight), and Economic Output (30% weight). Safety was determined by the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents. Affordability was calculated using median rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Economic Output was measured by median household income. Each city was scored, normalized, and ranked to produce a definitive, data-driven hierarchy. Population data was included for contextual scale but did not directly influence the composite score.
Top 3 Winners Deep Dive
Rank #1: Pierre
Pierre secures the top position through a statistically significant convergence of safety and economic efficiency. As the state capital, it operates with a violent crime rate of 400/100k, matching the majority of the list but offering a more contained population of 14,008, which often correlates with manageable municipal resources. The decisive factor is its superior income-to-cost ratio. With a median income of $74,053—the highest in the dataset—residents enjoy the greatest purchasing power, particularly when paired with a rent of $760. This combination yields the highest net disposable income, making Pierre a high-yield environment for financial stability without sacrificing safety.
Rank #2: Rapid City
Rapid City achieves the second rank by balancing scale and economic vitality. While its violent crime rate mirrors Pierre and Yankton at 400/100k, its larger population (79,409) indicates a robust urban infrastructure. The city’s median income of $70,094 remains highly competitive, placing it in the top tier of economic output. Its rent of $886 is the highest among the top three, which slightly dampens its affordability score. However, the city’s strong income base offsets this cost, securing its position as a premier destination for those seeking metropolitan amenities with a safety-optimized profile and solid earning potential.
Rank #3: Yankton
Yankton claims the third position as the most affordability-optimized city in the top tier. It matches the dataset’s standard safety profile with a violent crime rate of 400/100k and posts a robust median income of $69,071. Its key differentiator is cost efficiency: Yankton offers the lowest one-bedroom rent in the top three at $734. This creates a potent economic advantage, allowing for greater savings or investment on a slightly lower income than Pierre. For residents prioritizing financial efficiency without compromising on safety or economic opportunity, Yankton represents a statistically superior value proposition.
The 'Hidden Gem'
Rank #6: Watertown
Watertown emerges as the definitive data-driven "hidden gem" of the 2026 ranking, offering the optimal balance of high income and low cost outside the top three. It shares the dataset’s standard safety metric of 400/100k. Its financial profile is compelling: a median income of $62,721 is 18.2% higher than the #10 city, Huron, while its rent of $760 is identical. This creates a powerful value axis. When comparing Watertown’s income-to-rent ratio against cities with similar costs (e.g., Aberdeen, Brookings, Spearfish, Mitchell), Watertown’s income is decisively higher, maximizing discretionary spending power. It delivers 90% of the economic output of the top cities at a comparable cost, making it the highest-yield option for cost-conscious professionals.
Full Rankings Table
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre | 14,008 | $74,053 | 400 | $760 |
| 2 | Rapid City | 79,409 | $70,094 | 400 | $886 |
| 3 | Yankton | 15,501 | $69,071 | 400 | $734 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls | 206,405 | $70,925 | 456 | $884 |
| 5 | Aberdeen | 28,297 | $63,715 | 400 | $760 |
| 6 | Watertown | 22,859 | $62,721 | 400 | $760 |
| 7 | Brookings | 23,710 | $61,979 | 400 | $789 |
| 8 | Spearfish | 12,551 | $59,731 | 400 | $760 |
| 9 | Mitchell | 15,637 | $56,374 | 400 | $760 |
| 10 | Huron | 14,347 | $51,556 | 400 | $760 |
Note: Sioux Falls is penalized in the ranking due to a violent crime rate of 456/100k, which is 14% higher than the standard rate of the other nine cities, despite its competitive income.