South Dakota moving guide

Where should I move in South Dakota?

We ranked 5 South Dakota cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 5.

1. 1

   Sioux Falls

   Home $271,400 · Rent $993 · Income $74,714 · Unemployment 2.3%
   75/100
2. 2

   Watertown

   Home $212,300 · Rent $904 · Income $62,721 · Unemployment 2.0%
   50/100
3. 3

   Aberdeen

   Home $205,500 · Rent $783 · Income $63,715 · Unemployment 4.2%
   44/100
4. 4

   Brookings

   Home $243,600 · Rent $862 · Income $61,979 · Unemployment 4.4%
   44/100
5. 5

   Rapid City

   Home $270,000 · Rent $1,053 · Income $65,712 · Unemployment 3.2%
   38/100

Statewide, South Dakota recorded 1,757 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #26 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in South Dakota to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.