Lower Brule is a small town of 892 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $29,375
and a 8.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 79 (US average = 100), which is
21% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lower Brule stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lower Brule is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lower Brule 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: 79.3
Lower Brule's overall cost of living index is 79.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lower Brule costs roughly 21% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lower Brule, SD
National Avg
Median Home Value
$37,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$441
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
16.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$29,375
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lower Brule's violent crime rate is 79.3 per 100,000 residents
— 79% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
79.3 /100k
Property Crime
529.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lower Brule is served primarily by Lower Brule Day School.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lower Brule, SD
National Avg
School District
Lower Brule Day School
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lower Brule sees average highs of 29.4°F in January
and 87.5°F in July,
with 20.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 18.9 inches of snow per year.
Lower Brule's cost of living index is 79, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lower Brule roughly 21% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $37,500 and median rent is $441/month.
Lower Brule's violent crime rate is 79.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 529.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lower Brule are operated by Lower Brule Day School.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.8:1. 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lower Brule, SD has a population of 892, a median household income of $29,375, and an unemployment rate of 8.9%.
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.
Lower Brule averages 29.4°F in January and 87.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.1 inches
with about 18.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Lower Brule, South Dakota is 892 with a median age of 25.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lower Brule: cost of living index 79 (100 = US average), median home $37,500, median household income $29,375, crime index 23 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lower Brule side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.