What are the schools like in Custer, SD?

Custer is served primarily by Custer School District 16-1. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1.

What is the median household income in Custer?

The median household income in Custer, SD is $66,141 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

What is the weather like in Custer, SD?

Custer has an average high temperature of 37.1°F in January and 79.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 20.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 57.9 inches.

Custer, SD Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Custer, SD affordable or expensive?

Custer's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Custer is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $187,500 and the median rent is $885 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Custer, SD?

Crime rate data for Custer is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Custer, SD a Good Place to Live?

Custer is a small town of 2,043 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $66,141 and a 4.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Custer stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Custer is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Custer city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.8

Custer's overall cost of living index is 92.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Custer costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Custer, SD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$187,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$885	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	65.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$66,141	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Custer is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Custer is served primarily by Custer School District 16-1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Custer, SD	National Avg
School District	Custer School District 16-1	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	28.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Custer sees average highs of 37.1°F in January and 79.7°F in July, with 20.7 inches of annual precipitation and 57.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Custer, SD
Average High — January	37.1°F
Average High — July	79.7°F
Annual Precipitation	20.7"
Annual Snowfall	57.9"

Demographics

Metric	Custer, SD	National Avg
Population	2,043	—
Median Age	57.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	92.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	12.8%	22.2%
65 and over	36.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Pringle, SD 11 mi Hill City, SD 12 mi Keystone, SD 12 mi Fairburn, SD 20 mi Hermosa, SD 21 mi

ZIP Codes in Custer

Custer, SD is covered by 1 ZIP code:

57730

Custer vs Other Cities

Custer, SD vs Pringle, SD Custer, SD vs Hill City, SD Custer, SD vs Keystone, SD Custer, SD vs Fairburn, SD Custer, SD vs Hermosa, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Custer, SD affordable or expensive?

Custer's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Custer roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $187,500 and median rent is $885/month.

What is the crime rate in Custer, SD?

Crime data for Custer is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Custer?

Public schools in Custer are operated by Custer School District 16-1. The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.8:1. 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Custer, SD a good place to live?

Custer, SD has a population of 2,043, a median household income of $66,141, and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Custer?

Custer averages 37.1°F in January and 79.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.7 inches with about 57.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Custer?

Custer, SD is covered by 1 ZIP code: 57730.

What is the population of Custer?

The population of Custer, South Dakota is 2,043 with a median age of 57.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Custer?

Key numbers for living in Custer: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $187,500, median household income $66,141, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Custer side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.