The 10 Best Places To Live In South Dakota For 2026

The 10 Best Places To Live In South Dakota For 2026

More on Brandon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’ve been covering the best places to live in South Dakota for awhile now, and Brandon just keeps topping the list. A suburb of Sioux Falls, Brandon has a lot to love. It topped our list of South Dakota’s safest cities, with a crime rate 75% below the national average. GreatSchools gave Brandon’s district a 9/10 average score, and the city has the lowest high school dropout rate in South Dakota.

The poverty rate in Brandon is a measly 1.4%, the 2nd lowest in the state. And 95.4% of residents have health insurance, the 9th highest rate in South Dakota. While the cost of living is slightly higher than the statewide average, that’s mostly due to higher housing costs. In any case, Brandon’s residents enjoy the 3rd highest median household income in the state at $110,806. People agree that Brandon’s pretty awesome, seeing as the city has grown by roughly 20% in the last decade. Even better? Income and property values in Brandon also went up by more than 5% in the last year alone. After moving to Brandon, toast to your smart planning with a glass of vino from the local Wilde Prairie Winery.

More on Volga: Movers

Located in Brookings County, Volga is a city in South Dakota that offers a high quality of life. With a population of 2,408, Volga is known for its friendly community and welcoming atmosphere. Volga ranks as the number 2 best place to live in South Dakota.

Volga is a great place to live thanks to its low cost of living. The median home price in Volga is $331,303, which is relatively affordable compared to other areas in the state. Additionally, there are plenty of recreational activities and attractions nearby. Residents can enjoy outdoor adventures in the nearby parks, take a stroll along the picturesque Volga River, or explore the charming downtown area with its local shops and restaurants.

More on Hartford: Data | Movers

Hartford is a suburban city of 3,478 situated about 20 minutes northwest of Sioux Falls. Good schools, safe streets, and an unemployment rate of just 0.9% are just some of the reasons why Hartford ranks as the 3rd best place to live in South Dakota. There’s Buffalo Ridge Brewing for thirsty folk with a taste for craft beer, a golf course for those looking to hit the links, and the city park and swimming pool are a big hit with just about everyone.

Hartford takes care of all its residents, as evidenced by its poverty rate of 5.5%, the 5th lowest in South Dakota. Homes are the 4th most expensive in the state, and the median rent price of $938/month is a bit higher than the statewide median. However, Hartford’s residents earn the 6th highest median household income in the state at $99,893/year, so it all evens out.

More on Tea: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We turn to Sioux Falls’ southern suburb, Tea, for our 4th best city in South Dakota. Tea is one of South Dakota’s fastest-growing cities, swelling by nearly 50% since 2010, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the premier family cities in the state, with top-quality schools that have achieved the 2nd lowest high school dropout rate in South Dakota There are also loads of kid-friendly activities around, like Wild Water West Waterpark, which provides oodles of summer fun for the whole family. And Teapot Days, a summer festival complete with a parade and carnival, is a real treat for the whole community.

Tea has the 3rd lowest poverty rate in the state at 4.7% and unemployment is safely below 3%. Tea has the 2nd highest rate of residents with health insurance in the state, so unwelcome medical surprises are a little less menacing here. Homes in Tea might be the 6th priciest in the state, but Tea’s residents don’t mind, seeing as they earn $120,139/year, the highest median household income in South Dakota.

More on Dell Rapids: Data | Movers

Located a half-hour north of Sioux Falls, Dell Rapids is the 5th best place to call home in South Dakota for 2026. Between opportunities for history buffs, enthusiasts of fine arts, and golf courses, there’s really something for everyone in Dell Rapids.

A typical home in Dell Rapids sells for around $362,131 and rent will set you back about $962/month. The median household income in Dell Rapids is the 5th highest in South Dakota at $100,170/year and the poverty rate of 9.4% ranks as the 16th lowest in South Dakota. Dell Rapids spends about 10% more per student than the statewide average, and the public school district consistently outshines the rest of South Dakota in test scores and graduation rates. We just hope you like your neighbors because Dell Rapids is the 7th most densely populated spot in the whole state.

More on Lead: Crime | Movers

More on Summerset: Crime | Movers

We’re taking our first departure from the Sioux Falls suburbs to reach our 7th best place to live in South Dakota, Summerset. A suburb of Rapid City, Summerset is the newest city in South Dakota at just 14 years old. Animal enthusiasts will find plenty to love on day trips from Summerset; whether you’re checking out bears, elk, mountain lions, buffalo, and reindeer on your car trip through Bear Country USA or enjoying a snake show at nearby Reptile Gardens, there’s enough wildlife around to satisfy your craving for the exotic.

Before making the move to Summerset, be forewarned that it ranks among the most expensive cities in South Dakota. Homes are the 3rd costliest in the state at $424,113, and you won’t find a place on this list with a higher median rent than Summerset’s $1,288/month. Luckily, Summerset’s residents are also the 2nd best-paid in the state, with a typical household bringing in around $119,271/year. You get some nice perks for all that money, like living in the place with the 13th lowest poverty rate and 2nd lowest violent crime rate in South Dakota.

More on Elk Point: Movers

Located in southeastern South Dakota, 20 minutes northwest of Sioux City, Iowa, Elk Point comes in as the 8th best place to call home in the Mount Rushmore State. Main Street is packed with thriving local businesses that help support a sub-2% unemployment rate. And for such a small city, there’s plenty of recreational hotspots in and around town.

Schools in Elk Point do better than the statewide average in test scores and graduation rates, so your kiddos will be ready for college when the time comes. Folks here earn the 7th highest median income in South Dakota, $90,473/year. If you just want to try Elk Point out without committing to a $286,243 mortgage, you’re in luck; Elk Point has the cheapest rent on this list at $917/month, which is less than half the average rent in South Dakota. Income and property value both grew by more than 3% in the last year, so there’s no time like the present if you’re planning a move.

More on Harrisburg: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers

South Dakota’s 9th best place to live, Harrisburg, is also the state’s fastest-growing city, adding more than 60% to its population in the past decade. Having South Dakota’s biggest city nearby opens up your entertainment options, but Harrisburg has plenty going on to keep its residents happy without a 20-minute drive. Country Apple Orchard is a great spot for families and anyone with a sweet tooth. The whole community loves Harrisburg Days, a 4-day annual event chock full of locally-made food and live entertainment.

The first thing to know about your neighbors in Harrisburg is that they’re smart; over 40% of folks have a college degree, and 10% have a master’s, PhD, or professional degree to boot. We just hope you’re comfortable rubbing elbows with the state’s elite because Harrisburg is one of South Dakota’s richest cities. Harrisburg enjoys the 7th lowest unemployment and poverty rates in South Dakota, so you know everyone gets a piece of the pie here. Harrisburg residents enjoy the 4th highest median household income in the state at $108,724/year.

More on Lennox: Crime | Movers

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In South Dakota

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in South Dakota across a number of criteria from one to 36, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In South Dakota.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher is better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking South Dakota’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in South Dakota. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Brandon at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Best Places To Live In South Dakota Table