Platte is a small town of 1,299 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $61,923
and a 0.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Platte 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 Platte is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Platte 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: 91.1
Platte's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Platte costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Platte, SD
National Avg
Median Home Value
$153,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$802
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$61,923
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Platte's violent crime rate is 183.0 per 100,000 residents
— 52% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
183.0 /100k
Property Crime
914.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Platte is served primarily by Platte - Geddes School District 11-5.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Platte, SD
National Avg
School District
Platte - Geddes School District 11-5
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Platte sees average highs of 30.0°F in January
and 86.8°F in July,
with 24.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 45.7 inches of snow per year.
Platte's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Platte roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $153,700 and median rent is $802/month.
Platte's violent crime rate is 183.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 914.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Platte are operated by Platte - Geddes School District 11-5.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.0:1. 27.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Platte, SD has a population of 1,299, a median household income of $61,923, and an unemployment rate of 0.7%.
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.
Platte averages 30.0°F in January and 86.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 24.8 inches
with about 45.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Platte, South Dakota is 1,299 with a median age of 33.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Platte: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $153,700, median household income $61,923, crime index 46 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Platte side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
