What is the cost of living in Mitchell, SD?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Mitchell has an overall cost of living index of 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Dakota, Mitchell has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than South Dakota's index of 91.
The standard of living in Mitchell ranks as #5 most affordable out of the 19 places we measured in South Dakota. By definition, that implies Mitchell ranks as the #14 most expensive place in the Mount Rushmore State.
For more reading on life in Mitchell, check out:
Mitchell Cost Of Living Vs. South Dakota
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Mitchell. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Mitchell is 96.
The Groceries index in Mitchell is 96.
The Health index in Mitchell is 81.
The Housing index in Mitchell is 95.
The Transportation index in Mitchell is 103.
The Utilities index in Mitchell is 91.
| Living Expense | Mitchell | South Dakota | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 81 | 77 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 93 | 100 |
Mitchell Cost Of Living Compared To South Dakota Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around South Dakota, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In South Dakota
- Most Affordable Cities In South Dakota
- Average Rent In South Dakota
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Mitchell, SD Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in South Dakota, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Mitchell is $247,682.
The Median Rent in Mitchell is $851.
The Median Income in Mitchell is $58,620.
The Home Value To Income in Mitchell is 4.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Mitchell is 0.17x.
| Statistic | Mitchell | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $247,682 | $317,148 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $851 | $946 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $58,620 | $75,081 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.2x | 4.2x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.17x | 0.15x | 0.21x |
Mitchell, SD Costs By Category
Detailed Mitchell Services costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Mitchell | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.29 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $9.36 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $16.4 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.32 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $35.22 | $45.56 |
Detailed Mitchell Groceries costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Mitchell | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.89 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.75 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.63 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.64 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.33 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.8 | $3.7 |
Detailed Mitchell Health costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Mitchell | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $135.1 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $177.33 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $108.21 | $113.29 |
Detailed Mitchell Transportation costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Mitchell | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.28 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $49.42 | $59.92 |
Detailed Mitchell Utilities costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Mitchell | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $141.67 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $194.04 | $192.25 |
Mitchell SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Mitchell
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Mitchell. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Huron, SD has a cost of living index of 87, 0.9x Mitchell.
Madison, SD has a cost of living index of 86, 0.9x Mitchell.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Mitchell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huron, SD | 14,385 | 87 | 0.9x |
| Madison, SD | 6,094 | 86 | 0.9x |
