McLaughlin is a small town of 614 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $67,500
and a 16.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
McLaughlin stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether McLaughlin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All McLaughlin 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: 86.3
McLaughlin's overall cost of living index is 86.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in McLaughlin costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
McLaughlin, SD
National Avg
Median Home Value
$54,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$840
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$67,500
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
McLaughlin's violent crime rate is 293.7 per 100,000 residents
— 23% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
293.7 /100k
Property Crime
465.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
McLaughlin is served primarily by McLaughlin School District 15-2.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
McLaughlin, SD
National Avg
School District
McLaughlin School District 15-2
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
25.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
McLaughlin sees average highs of 24.1°F in January
and 85.4°F in July,
with 20.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 34.9 inches of snow per year.
McLaughlin's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes McLaughlin roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $54,700 and median rent is $840/month.
McLaughlin's violent crime rate is 293.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 465.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in McLaughlin are operated by McLaughlin School District 15-2.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.3:1. 25.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
McLaughlin, SD has a population of 614, a median household income of $67,500, and an unemployment rate of 16.0%.
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.
McLaughlin averages 24.1°F in January and 85.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.1 inches
with about 34.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of McLaughlin, South Dakota is 614 with a median age of 30.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in McLaughlin: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $54,700, median household income $67,500, crime index 55 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McLaughlin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
