Performance
Score Breakdown
Dell Rapids
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dell Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
57% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dell Rapids's average rent is
100% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,500 | -100% |
| Groceries | $500 | $650 | -23% |
| Utilities | $200 | $235 | -15% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $152 | +97% |
| Monthly Total | $1,150 | $2,687 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dell Rapids offers 18% higher 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 $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,307 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,786 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $100,170 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 21.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids 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 | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,815 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 3.60% |
| 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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
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
Grand Rapids
#21Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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