Pierre 75 Excellent
Pierre Livability #29 ranked city in South Dakota#4,194 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Pierre

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Pierre?

Located in the state of South Dakota, Pierre is a moderately-sized city with a population of 14,450 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Pierre could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Pierre. With an average one way commute time of only 10 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Pierre, South Dakota could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Pierre, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, housing and more.

Pierre, SD receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #30 in South Dakota and #3,997 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Pierre has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+), employment (A) and housing (A+). Pierre does not do well for the following: amenities (F) and crime (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The unemployment rate in Pierre has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.4%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Pierre market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Pierre. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Pierre are affordable. The median home price for Pierre homes is $325,123, which is 24.8% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Pierre, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 0% lower than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Pierre

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      Pierre transportation information

      Statistic Pierre South Dakota National
      Average one way commute10min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.0%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.2%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.2%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.4%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home3.0%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Pierre, SD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.