Watertown, SD Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In Watertown, SD Summary

Cost of living in Watertown research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Watertown is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in South Dakota, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Watertown is 94, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Watertown is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Watertown ranks as the #14 cheapest in South Dakota out of 19.

  • Watertown ranks as the #2,290 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in Watertown is $174,900.

  • The median income in Watertown is $56,520.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
94
Watertown's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Watertown, SD?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Watertown has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to South Dakota, Watertown has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than South Dakota's index of 93.

The standard of living in Watertown ranks as #14 most affordable out of the 19 places we measured in South Dakota. By definition, that implies Watertown ranks as the #5 most expensive place in the Mount Rushmore State.

For more reading on life in Watertown, check out:

14 out of 19
In South Dakota
2,290 out of 6,412
In America

Watertown Cost Of Living Vs. South Dakota

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Watertown. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Watertown is 100.

  • The Groceries index in Watertown is 109.

  • The Health index in Watertown is 116.

  • The Housing index in Watertown is 80.

  • The Transportation index in Watertown is 97.

  • The Utilities index in Watertown is 88.

Living Expense Watertown South Dakota National Average
Overall 94 93 100
Services 100 93 100
Groceries 109 100 100
Health 116 95 100
Housing 80 90 100
Transportation 97 94 100
Utilities 88 89 100
For more reading on cost of living around South Dakota, check out:
Watertown Cost of Living Vs. SD

Watertown, 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 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Watertown is $174,900.

  • The Median Rent in Watertown is $822.

  • The Median Income in Watertown is $56,520.

  • The Home Value To Income in Watertown is 3.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Watertown is 0.17x.

Statistic Watertown South Dakota United States
Median Home Value $174,900 $187,800 $244,900
Median Rent $822 $809 $1,163
Median Income $56,520 $63,920 $69,021
Home Value To Income 3.1x 2.9x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.17x 0.15x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Watertown, SD
$174,900
Median Home Value
$822
Median Rent
$56,520
Median Income

Watertown, SD Costs By Category

Detailed Watertown Services Costs Vs. South Dakota

Item Watertown South Dakota
Shampoo $1.26 $1.06
Movie $11.0 $10.68
Bowling $4.03 $14.67
Haircut $18.03 $18.62
Beauty Salon $34.13 $39.05

Detailed Watertown Groceries Costs Vs. South Dakota

Item Watertown South Dakota
Ground Beef $3.4 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.84 $1.39
Milk $2.96 $2.05
Potatoes $2.73 $3.29
Pizza $8.77 $10.62
Beer $9.04 $9.38
Toothpaste $2.36 $2.34

Detailed Watertown Health Costs Vs. South Dakota

Item Watertown South Dakota
Optometrist $93.17 $108.57
Doctor $157.22 $116.17
Dentist $95.33 $99.13

Detailed Watertown Transportation Costs Vs. South Dakota

Item Watertown South Dakota
Gasoline $2.11 $2.22
Tire Balancing $50.47 $50.07

Detailed Watertown Utilities Costs Vs. South Dakota

Item Watertown South Dakota
All Electricity $142.52 $167.67
Phone $25.3 $175.64

Watertown SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
7
Affordability
7
Diversity
5
Safety
6
Amenities
8.5
Education
7
Commute
10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Watertown

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Watertown. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Brookings, SD has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x Watertown.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Watertown
Brookings, SD 23,432 93 1.0x

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