Performance
Score Breakdown
Harrisburg
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Harrisburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Aberdeen.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,265 | $1,250 | +1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $388 | +3% |
| Utilities | $180 | $288 | -38% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $305 | -51% |
| Monthly Total | $2,115 | $2,311 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Harrisburg offers 57% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Harrisburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Harrisburg is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,016 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,412 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $108,724 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Harrisburg.
Aberdeen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Harrisburg.
From a growth perspective, Harrisburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Harrisburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,791 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 31.1 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 0.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Harrisburg
Advantages
Harrisburg boasts a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
The city has a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
Harrisburg is experiencing rapid population growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income of $108,724 is well above the national average, reflecting strong economic opportunity.
The average commute time of 19 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Harrisburg is slightly higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
Public transportation options are limited or non-existent, leading to high car dependency.
Walkability scores are low or unavailable, indicating a less pedestrian-friendly environment.
Rapid population growth can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
There are no major hospitals directly within Harrisburg, requiring travel to Sioux Falls for comprehensive healthcare.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Harrisburg
#13South Dakota, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,265
Avg Salary
$61,016
Cost Index
101
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
0.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
Aberdeen
#64South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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