South Dakota has vast and diverse landscapes like the stunning Badlands National Park and the towering Black Hills, as well as quaint historic cities like Sturgis and Deadwood. Outdoor activities and Old West Heritage have many reasons why South Dakota is a great place to live. If you’re considering moving to South Dakota or buying a home in the state, you probably have a budget that you’ll want to stay when you’re looking for a place to live. When it comes to buying a home in South Dakota, the median home selling price is $320,400.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget. We have options that will help you find a home or apartment to do so. Redfin has compiled a list of nine of the most affordable prices for living in South Dakota, all of which have median home selling prices under the state average. Dive in and take a look at the cities on your list.
#1: Huron
Median home price: $164,700
Average selling price per square foot: $48
Median household income: $57,702
Nearest Major Metro: Sioux Falls (125 miles)
Huron, SD Holmes sales
Apartments for Huron, SD Apartments
It is Huron that takes the first place on the list of the most affordable locations to live in South Dakota. With around 14,600 residents and a median home selling price of $164,700, Huron is the perfect town to call your home. Huron offers access to gems such as the world’s largest pheasant statue, the South Dakota State Fair and Broadland Creek Golf Course.
#2: Watertown
Median home price: $213,750
Average selling price per square foot: $106
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $997
Median household income: $54,676
Nearest Major Metro: ND Fargo (150 miles)
SD Holmes Watertown Sales
Watertown, apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Huron is Watertown, the next city on our list. With a population of nearly 22,200, there is still much work to do in the city. Check out the Sandy Shore State Recreation Area along the coast of Lake Campesca, visit the Bramble Park Zoo and explore local shops and restaurants in downtown.
#3: Aberdeen
Median home price: $238,950
Average selling price per square foot: $115
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $864
Median household income: $58,439
Nearest Major Metro: Fargo, ND (195 miles)
Aberdeen, SD Holmes sales
SD Apartments Rental Aberdeen
The median home sale price is $238,950, and Aberdeen claims to be the third spot on its list of affordable locations to live in South Dakota. The city is home to about 28,600 people, and is about 195 miles from the nearest big city in Fargo, North Carolina. If you’re considering moving to this area, explore Wiley Park, where Wiley Lake, campsites and picture book lands are located, or check out downtown Aberdeen.
#4: Mitchell
Median home price: $246,250
Average selling price per square foot: $123
Median household income: $51,763
Nearest Major Metro: Sioux Falls (72 miles)
Mitchell, SD Holmes sales
Mitchell SD Apartments Rental
With around 15,600 residents, Mitchell is the next city of South Dakota to create our list. The median home selling price is nearly 74K less than the state average, making it an affordable option to consider. Mitchell has plenty to explore, including the world’s only Corn Palace, the Dakota Discovery Museum, and the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village National Historical Landmark. You can also spend the day enjoying the amazing outdoors at Lake Mitchell.
#5: Pierre
Median home price: $250,000
Average selling price per square foot: $110
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,460
Median household income: $80,473
SD Holmes Pierre Sales
Pierre, SD Apartments Rental
If you’re looking for an affordable place to move to South Dakota, consider adding Pierre to your list of cities and considering living there. Traveling to this affordable city with 13,800 residents will give you the perks of urban living while living near nature. Pierre offers a visit to the charming downtown area with views of the South Dakota State Capitol, steamboat park, and local shops and river. Pierre is also a great lake town in South Dakota and is considering living near Lake Sharp.
#6: Vermillion
Median home price: $263,000
Average selling price per square foot: $110
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,269
Median household income: $47,813
Nearest Major Metro: Sioux City, Iowa (36 miles)
Vermillion, SD Homes for Sale
Vermillion, SD Apartments Rental
The sixth is Vermilion, which currently houses around 12,000 residents. The median home selling price is $263,000, about $60,000 less than the median home selling price in South Dakota. If you’re traveling to the third most affordable city in South Dakota, explore the charming main street, check out the exhibits at the National Museum of Music, and stroll along the University of South Dakota campus.
#7: Yankton
Median home price: $267,500
Average selling price per square foot: $143
Median household income: $60,180
Nearest Major Metro: Sioux City, Iowa (63 miles)
Yankton, SD Holmes sales
Yankton apartment for rent
The next city is Yankton, located just across from Nebraska. With around 15,600 residents, this is a great small town to live in. Yankton offers views of the Missouri River at Meridien Bridge and Riverside Park.
#8: Rapid City
Median home price: $304,999
Average selling price per square foot: $205
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,360
Median household income: $58,072
Nearest Major Metro: Denver, Colorado (350 miles)
Rapid City, SD Homes For Sale
SD Apartments Rental Rapid City
The eighth is Rapid City, which currently houses around 75,400 residents. The median home sales price is $304,999, which is about $15,000 less than the median home sales price in South Dakota. If you’re moving to South Dakota’s third most affordable city, explore the Black Hills caves, hike, mountain biking, or enjoy the views at Skyline Wilderness Area Park. You can also visit museums and sites such as the Journey Museum and Learning Centre, Berlin Wall Display and the Geological Museum.
#9: Sioux Falls
Median home price: $313,500
Average selling price per square foot: $184
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,015
Median household income: $54,676
Nearest Major Metro: Minneapolis, Minnesota (270 miles)
Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale
Sioux Falls, SD Apartments for Rent
It’s Sioux Falls that will take the final place on the list of affordable South Dakota cities. With 181,900 residents, travelling to this affordable city will give you the perks of urban living while living near nature. In Sioux Falls, you can visit Falls Park to see the waterfalls, check out butterflies and animals at the Butterfly House & Aquarium, and explore museums like the old Court Museum.
Methodology: All cities must have more than 10,000 residents per US census and have a median home selling price under the average median home selling price in South Dakota. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.