Cost of Living in Vermillion, SD

Population 11,800 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Vermillion is a smaller South Dakota community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,815 and housing costs ($210,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 10.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Vermillion is about 55 miles south of Sioux Falls, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 23% lower than Sioux Falls' $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 55

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Vermillion

The median home value in Vermillion is $210,200 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $728/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,815/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. South Dakota charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Vermillion has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$210,200
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$268,590
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$728/mo
45% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,045/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$598
1 BR
$702
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,213
4 BR
$1,391
Owner-occupied 42.7%
Renter-occupied 57.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$728
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,342/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
16.9 min
37% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.5%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
13.1%
Bicycle
2.4%
Work from home
7.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 6.1%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,815
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,675
Unemployment Rate
10.3%
115% above avg
Poverty Rate
25.1%
Labor Force Participation
68.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.9%
Graduate degree 25.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 22.9
Male median age 23.4
Female median age 22.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
66.8%
Good air days/yr
173
Max AQI recorded
168
PM2.5 days
197
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,305
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Vermillion, SD?

Vermillion has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Vermillion, SD?

The median gross rent in Vermillion is $728 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Vermillion?

The median home value in Vermillion is $210,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Vermillion?

The median household income in Vermillion is $52,815 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Vermillion, SD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Vermillion is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.

Is Vermillion, SD affordable?

Yes, Vermillion is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

Vermillion at a Glance

Population
11,800
Median Income
$52,815
Home Value
$210,200
Median Rent
$728/mo
Unemployment
10.3%
Sales Tax
6.1%
View all cities in South Dakota →
🗺️ County data for South Dakota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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