A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Yankton South Dakota National
Cost of living8889100
Goods & Services9194100
Groceries9797100
Health care10398100
Housing7977100
Transportation9197100
Utilities8488100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Yankton, SD

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Yankton? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Yankton stands at 88, making it 12% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Is Yankton Affordable?

Wondering if Yankton is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Yankton, for example, the median home price is 16.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 33.6% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Yankton boasting a median household income of $54,278, which is 1.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Yankton?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Yankton, healthcare costs are 3.1% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Yankton, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Yankton is 1% lower than the South Dakota average
  • The cost of living in Yankton is 12% lower than the national average
  • Yankton housing is 21% lower than the national average
  • South Dakota general sales tax is 12% lower than the national average
  • South Dakota state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Yankton

See all the best places to live around Yankton

Compare Yankton, SD Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,737$5,811$1,627$2,092
      Renters$36,695$3,058$856$1,101
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Yankton, SD, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Yankton, homeowners have a median income of $69,737. Using that number, a maximum of $1,627 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $36,695, which means there is a maximum of $856 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      South Dakota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Dakota 4.5% 6%

      South Dakota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Dakota 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.32$24.260.2%
      Beauty Salon $35.22$45.5622.7%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.7%
      Movie $9.36$12.1322.9%
      Bowling $16.40$18.008.9%

      Groceries

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $10.64$12.0912.0%
      Beer $9.33$10.4110.4%

      Health Care

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.10$125.687.5%
      Doctor $177.33$135.7830.6%
      Dentist $108.21$113.294.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.48$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $357.08$468.6023.8%

      Housing

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $155,000.00$184,700.0016.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,133.89$2,346.699.1%
      Apartment Rent $630.00$949.0033.6%

      Transportation

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.28$3.465.3%
      Tire Balancing $49.42$59.9217.5%

      Utilities

      Item Yankton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $141.67$193.9927.0%
      Phone $194.04$192.250.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Aten, NE21928.3%
      Utica, SD567327.0%
      Lesterville, SD1037524.7%
      Wakonda, SD2677723.2%
      Fordyce, NE2187723.1%
      Yankton, SD14,6198812.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Greenlawn, NY14,59814141.3%
      Ferndale, WA14,59112828.0%
      Sharonville, OH14,659982.1%
      Scottsbluff, NE14,660919.5%
      Groveton, VA14,66414342.6%
      Yankton, SD14,6198812.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.