City Comparison
Madison vs Harrisburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Harrisburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Harrisburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Harrisburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
39% lower than Harrisburg's.
| Metric | Madison | Harrisburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $1,265 | -39% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $2,115 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 8% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$30,960 vs $55,000 in Harrisburg.
| Metric | Madison | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $61,016 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $108,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 47.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 22.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Harrisburg.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Harrisburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Madison.
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 | Madison | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 10,791 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 31.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 0.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with average rent significantly lower than the national average.
Low violent crime rate, making it a safe place to live with a 'A' safety grade.
Short average commute time of 11.4 minutes, allowing for more personal time.
Strong presence of educational institutions like Dakota State University, contributing to a youthful atmosphere.
Generally lower median property values compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with an 'Exceptionally Drivable' score and limited transit reach.
Walkability is moderate, with a score of 50/100, indicating that most daily errands would require a vehicle.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Limited major retail and entertainment options within the city, requiring travel to larger centers like Sioux Falls.
The job market has seen a slight decline in employment in recent years.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#31South Dakota, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$774
Avg Salary
$65,593
Cost Index
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
4.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
47.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
Harrisburg
#6South Dakota, USA
73.8 / 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
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