Deep Dive Relocation Report: Pierre, South Dakota (2026)

Pierre: The Data Profile (2026)

Pierre represents a unique statistical anomaly in the 2026 relocation landscape: a state capital with the footprint of a micro-city. With a population of just 14,008, it offers a hyper-localized economic ecosystem. The median income sits at $74,053, which is statistically negligible compared to the US median of $74,580 (-0.7%). However, the educational attainment rate is surprisingly robust at 34.8%, edging out the national average of 33.1%.

The statistical target demographic for Pierre is the "High-Skill Remote Stabilizer." This is a professional earning near the national median who leverages remote work to capitalize on a localized housing market that has not yet decoupled from local wages. It is ideal for government contractors, policy analysts, and remote tech workers who prioritize stability over density.

Cost of Living Analysis

The Cost of Living (COL) index in Pierre is a statistical mirror of the national average, with one major exception: energy costs.

Disposable Income Analysis:
While the aggregate index is 100.0, the utility cost is a significant outlier. Electricity costs $0.1286/kWh, which is 20.0% cheaper than the US average of $0.1600/kWh. For a household consuming 1,000 kWh monthly, this results in a monthly savings of roughly $31.40 compared to the national norm. However, because the aggregate COL is exactly average, the disposable income relies entirely on maintaining the $74,053 median income. A drop in income below this threshold immediately makes Pierre a financially inefficient choice relative to the national curve.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market in Pierre is defined by its stagnation relative to the volatile national average. It is a "fair value" market.

Buying vs. Renting Analysis:
The data presents a compelling case for buying over renting, provided you have the liquidity for the down payment. The Median Home Price of $275,000 is $137,000 below the national average. The Price/SqFt of $165 allows for significantly more square footage for the budget. However, the Rent (1BR) of $850 is exceptionally low (-46.9% vs US). If a buyer cannot secure a mortgage rate that keeps monthly payments below the $1,400 threshold for a 3BR rental, renting remains the financially safer, liquid option.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

The 2026 economic landscape in Pierre is defined by extreme labor tightness. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, nearly half the US average of 4.0%. This indicates a "candidate's market" where local employers must compete aggressively for talent.

RTO & Commute:
Post-remote work shifts have affected Pierre less than major metros. Being a state capital, government roles have seen a partial Return to Office (RTO), but the commute times remain negligible. The average commute time in Pierre is 14.2 minutes, compared to the national average of 26.8 minutes. This saves the average worker approximately 52 hours of driving per year. The low unemployment rate of 2.1% suggests that for non-remote roles, job hunting is rapid, but the talent pool is shallow.

Quality of Life Audit

Pierre presents a "High Function, High Risk" health profile. While the aggregate Health Score is high, lifestyle-related risk factors are statistically significant.

Safety & Air Quality:
The air quality in Pierre is pristine, with an AQI of 35 and PM2.5 levels at 4.5 µg/m³, both significantly better than national benchmarks. Regarding safety, Pierre has a violent crime rate of 215 incidents per 100k residents (US avg: 388) and a property crime rate of 1,850 incidents per 100k residents (US avg: 1,958). It is statistically safer than the majority of US cities.

Schools & Weather:
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, better than the national average of 16:1. However, the weather is a major lifestyle factor. Currently, the temperature is 27.0°F with a high of 35°F and a low of 27°F. Conditions are Mostly Cloudy. Winters are long and harsh, with average snowfall exceeding 40 inches annually.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Labor Security: An unemployment rate of 2.1% guarantees rapid employment for qualified candidates.
• Housing Value: Median home price of $275,000 is $137,000 cheaper than the national average.
• Commute: Average commute of 14.2 minutes maximizes personal time.
• Environment: AQI of 35 and PM2.5 of 4.5 µg/m³ offer clean living.

Cons:

• Health Risks: Obesity rate of 34.2% is 2.3% higher than the national average, indicating a culture with high lifestyle risks.
• Weather: Current temps of 27.0°F and seasonal extremes can be difficult for transplants.
• Income Ceiling: Median income of $74,053 is flat; significant wealth generation requires remote salaries or executive local roles.

Recommendation:
Pierre is a Strong Buy for remote workers earning $90,000+ annually who desire extreme stability and safety. It is a Hold for those seeking rapid career advancement in the private sector, as the local economy is heavily weighted toward government and healthcare.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Pierre?
Given the COL index of 100.0, a single person needs approximately $60,000 to maintain a standard of living equivalent to the national average. However, to account for the high housing index stability, a salary of $75,000 is recommended to build savings.

2. How does the value proposition compare to other small cities?
Pierre offers better value than tourist-heavy mountain towns but matches the value of rural Midwest hubs. The key differentiator is the 2.1% unemployment rate, which is significantly better than the 4.0% national average.

3. Are the safety statistics accurate for a capital city?
Yes. Despite being the capital, the violent crime rate is only 215 per 100k, which is 44.5% lower than the US average. It is statistically one of the safest capitals in the US.

4. When is the best time to relocate?
Ideally, move between May and September. The current temperature of 27.0°F highlights the harsh winter. Moving in winter risks weather delays and makes house hunting difficult due to snow cover.