If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in South Dakota, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in South Dakota:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in South Dakota include:
- Dakota Dunes
- Brandon
- Brookings
Read why they made the list below!
1. Dakota Dunes
Dakota Dunes is located in Union County within the southeast region of South Dakota.
With a population of 3,000, Dakota Dunes is a small town with a rural or suburban feel in most areas.
Here’s how we rate Dakota Dunes on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 5/5 |
2. Brandon
Brandon is located in Minnehaha County within the eastern region of South Dakota.
With a population of 10,000, Brandon is a medium-sized town with a suburban feel in most areas.
Here’s how we rate Brandon on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
3. Brookings
Brookings is located in Brookings County within the eastern region of South Dakota.
With a population of 24,000, Brookings is a medium-sized town with a suburban feel in most areas.
Brookings experiences warm summers and cold, dry winters. Average highs range from 22 to 81 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 3 to 60, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Brookings on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4.5/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: