Performance
Score Breakdown
Dell Rapids
Bel Air South
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dell Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dell Rapids's average rent is
100% lower than Bel Air South's.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Bel Air South | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $2,187 | -100% |
| Groceries | $500 | $400 | +25% |
| Utilities | $200 | $220 | -9% |
| Transport | $150 | $180 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,150 | $3,137 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dell Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dell Rapids is estimated at
$75,000 vs $65,000 in Bel Air South.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,307 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,786 idx | 53,162 idx |
| Household Income | $100,170 | $123,653 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dell Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Dell Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dell Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 16.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bel Air South is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,815 | 60,008 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.30% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dell Rapids
#49South Dakota, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
Bel Air South
#49Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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