Capital city of South Dakota, United States

Pierre

$287kMedian Home
318Sunny Days/yr
View on Map· Pop. 14k· Elev. 1,480 ftWikipedia

Pierre is the capital city of the U.S. state of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,091. Pierre is the eleventh-most populous city of South Dakota, and the second-least populous U.S. state capital.Wikipedia

State Context

South DakotaU.S. state

South Dakota is a landlocked state in the Upper Midwest, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Dakota Sioux tribe, which comprises a large portion of the population and has historically dominated the territory. South Dakota is the 17th-largest by area, the fifth-least populous, and the fifth-least densely populated of the 50 United States.Wikipedia

Income tax: NoneAvg sales tax: 6.11%Property tax: 1.08%

About the Region

Great Plains

The Great Plains represent some of the most genuinely affordable cost of living in the United States. Cities like Omaha, Kansas City, and Des Moines consistently rank near the top of affordability indices while maintaining real cultural amenities. Kansas City has emerged as a surprising food, arts, and startup destination. Omaha's financial services backbone — anchored by Berkshire Hathaway and a cluster of insurance and banking firms — provides white-collar economic stability that defies the region's agricultural image.

The trade-off is climate volatility. Tornado Alley runs directly through this region, with the world's highest concentration of significant tornadoes. Winters bring blizzards and wind chills far below zero, while summers are hot and humid in the east, hotter and drier to the west. The Great Plains remain one of the least densely populated regions in the Lower 48 — long drives between cities, limited public transit, and a car-dependent lifestyle are material considerations for urban transplants.

02

Current Conditions

03

Cost of Living

Housing
$287k
Median Home Price
Household Income
$80k
Median annual
05

Climate

Sunshine
318
sunny days per year
87% of the year
Comfort Score
70/100
Good
Rainfall
17"
inches per year
Air Quality
38
Good AQI
07

Demographics

Population14k
Altitude1,480 ftabove sea level
Median Age40 yrs
College Educated34%bachelor's or higher
Work From Home6%of workforce
Poverty Rate12%

Nearby Comparisons

Regional Alternatives
Local Real Estate ExpertAD
Your Name HereClaim this exclusive city slot

Compare Pierre with other cities

Stack it side-by-side against cities you're considering.

Quick Compare