What is the cost of living in Vermillion, SD?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Vermillion has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Dakota, Vermillion has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than South Dakota's index of 91.
The standard of living in Vermillion ranks as #6 most affordable out of the 19 places we measured in South Dakota. By definition, that implies Vermillion ranks as the #13 most expensive place in the Mount Rushmore State.
For more reading on life in Vermillion, check out:
Vermillion Cost Of Living Vs. South Dakota
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Vermillion. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Vermillion is 97.
The Groceries index in Vermillion is 96.
The Health index in Vermillion is 84.
The Housing index in Vermillion is 98.
The Transportation index in Vermillion is 92.
The Utilities index in Vermillion is 92.
| Living Expense | Vermillion | South Dakota | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 84 | 77 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 93 | 100 |
Vermillion 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
Vermillion, 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 Vermillion is $272,881.
The Median Rent in Vermillion is $764.
The Median Income in Vermillion is $50,456.
The Home Value To Income in Vermillion is 5.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Vermillion is 0.18x.
| Statistic | Vermillion | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $272,881 | $317,148 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $764 | $946 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $50,456 | $75,081 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.4x | 4.2x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.18x | 0.15x | 0.21x |
Vermillion, SD Costs By Category
Detailed Vermillion Services costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Vermillion | 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 Vermillion Groceries costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Vermillion | 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 Vermillion Health costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Vermillion | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $135.1 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $177.33 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $108.21 | $113.29 |
Detailed Vermillion Transportation costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Vermillion | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.28 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $49.42 | $59.92 |
Detailed Vermillion Utilities costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Vermillion | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $141.67 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $194.04 | $192.25 |
Vermillion SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Vermillion
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Vermillion. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Le Mars, IA has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Vermillion.
Harrisburg, SD has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Vermillion.
Sioux Center, IA has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Vermillion.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Vermillion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Mars, IA | 10,640 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Harrisburg, SD | 8,519 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Sioux Center, IA | 8,454 | 99 | 1.1x |
| Tea, SD | 6,786 | 102 | 1.1x |
| Wayne, NE | 6,121 | 88 | 0.9x |
