What are the schools like in Mission, SD?

Mission is served primarily by Todd County School District 66-1. The district operates 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.

What is the median household income in Mission?

The median household income in Mission, SD is $36,607 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 17.4%.

What is the weather like in Mission, SD?

Mission has an average high temperature of 34.2°F in January and 87.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 20.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 41.5 inches.

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

Q: Is Mission, SD affordable or expensive?

Mission's cost of living index is 84, where 100 represents the national average. This means Mission is 16% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $54,300 and the median rent is $600 per month.

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

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

Is Mission, SD a Good Place to Live?

Mission is a small town of 1,256 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $36,607 and a 17.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 84 (US average = 100), which is 16% below the national average.

Strengths: Mission 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 Mission is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Mission 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: 83.6

Mission's overall cost of living index is 83.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Mission costs roughly 16% less than the average American city.

Metric	Mission, SD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$54,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$600	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	48.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$36,607	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Mission is served primarily by Todd County School District 66-1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Mission, SD	National Avg
School District	Todd County School District 66-1	—
Elementary Schools	8	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	81.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Mission sees average highs of 34.2°F in January and 87.4°F in July, with 20.9 inches of annual precipitation and 41.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Mission, SD
Average High — January	34.2°F
Average High — July	87.4°F
Annual Precipitation	20.9"
Annual Snowfall	41.5"

Demographics

Metric	Mission, SD	National Avg
Population	1,256	—
Median Age	22.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	17.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	14.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.9%	6.3%
Under 18	42.6%	22.2%
65 and over	6.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Antelope, SD 2 mi White Horse, SD 3 mi Rosebud, SD 9 mi Soldier Creek, SD 12 mi Two Strike, SD 14 mi

Mission vs Other Cities

Mission, SD vs Antelope, SD Mission, SD vs White Horse, SD Mission, SD vs Rosebud, SD Mission, SD vs Soldier Creek, SD Mission, SD vs Two Strike, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mission, SD affordable or expensive?

Mission's cost of living index is 84, where 100 is the national average. That makes Mission roughly 16% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $54,300 and median rent is $600/month.

What is the crime rate in Mission, SD?

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

What are the schools like in Mission?

Public schools in Mission are operated by Todd County School District 66-1. The district has 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 12.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Mission, SD a good place to live?

Mission, SD has a population of 1,256, a median household income of $36,607, and an unemployment rate of 17.4%. 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 Mission?

Mission averages 34.2°F in January and 87.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 20.9 inches with about 41.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Mission?

The population of Mission, South Dakota is 1,256 with a median age of 22.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Mission?

Key numbers for living in Mission: cost of living index 84 (100 = US average), median home $54,300, median household income $36,607, schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mission side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.