8 Best Places To Call Home In South Dakota In 2025
For those searching for a place where low costs meet quality living, South Dakota’s small towns stand out in all the right ways. These communities blend tradition, nature, and strong local pride, whether it is the garden vibe in Brookings, the spiritual scene of Yankton, or the family-friendly park of Aberdeen. With welcoming neighborhoods, vibrant farmers markets, and plenty of room to breathe, daily life moves at a pace that leaves space for what matters. Here are eight of the best places to call home in South Dakota in 2025.
Aberdeen
Set beneath the wide skies of northeastern South Dakota, Aberdeen balances affordability with the kinds of everyday comforts that make a place feel like home. With an average home price of around $236,000[Zillow] as of July 2025—well below the state’s median of $319,000—it offers attainable homeownership without sacrificing access to education and recreation. Northern State University brings academic opportunities and cultural life to town, while the full-service YMCA features a competitive lap pool, a zero-depth entry pool with water play features for children, and a hot tub for relaxing after long days.
Families find plenty of reasons to stay and explore. Storybook Land, a free-admission park nestled within Wylie Park, creates a wonderland of fairy tales and gentle rides that spark young imaginations. The 200-acre Wylie Park also includes a scenic lake, campground, zoo, and miles of walking trails, ideal for weekends outdoors. In winter, outdoor hockey and skating rinks give kids and adults a reason to embrace the cold. Just outside town, Richmond Lake Recreation Area has fishing, swimming, boating, and quiet trails through prairie hills. In the heart of downtown, the Dacotah Prairie Museum preserves local history with hands-on exhibits, rotating art shows, and traveling STEM displays.
Brookings
Rooted in the heart of eastern South Dakota, Brookings combines small-town warmth with the resources of a dynamic university hub. It is home to South Dakota State University, the state’s largest higher education institution, which shapes the town with academic energy, research, and public events. The Brookings Farmers Market is a seasonal favorite, connecting locals with fresh produce, handmade goods, and live music every weekend. While the median home price sits at $316,000 in mid-2025, close to the state average, the quality of life, excellent schools, and diverse amenities make it a solid investment for growing families and professionals.
Brookings is built for all ages. At the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, more than 5,000 interactive parts and over 500 books create a hands-on space that inspires curiosity and creative thinking. Just a short walk from campus, McCrory Gardens stretches across 70 acres of vibrant plantings, native grasses, and peaceful walking paths, having year-round beauty and opportunities to learn about regional horticulture. In the heart of town, Downtown Brookings welcomes visitors with locally owned shops, farm-to-table restaurants, coffeehouses, and over 200 unique businesses that give the district its lively spirit. For an easygoing night out, Wooden Legs Brewing Company serves up house-crafted brews and seasonal flavors in a relaxed setting that brings neighbors together.
Mitchell
Mitchell brings together education, heritage, and community in a way that feels both grounded and forward-looking. With Dakota Wesleyan University on the city’s southwest side and Mitchell Technical College to the southeast, the town gives strong access to higher education, job training, and youth enrichment programs. A well-kept home can be found for around $255,000.
Mitchell also delivers experiences that make daily life meaningful. The city’s centerpiece, the Corn Palace, draws visitors from across the country with its one-of-a-kind murals made entirely from dried corn and grains. Inside, the space transforms year-round, hosting basketball games, concerts, trade shows, and even the local high school prom. A short drive away, the Dakota Discovery Museum invites locals to step back through time, exploring the stories of prairie settlers through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs. For those curious about the region’s deeper past, the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village is an active archaeological site where scientists continue to uncover the lives of early Native American communities.
Yankton
Yankton, resting along the banks of the Missouri River in southeastern South Dakota, mixes history, education, and outdoor living into a town that feels made for putting down roots. Known as the “Mother City of the Dakotas” for its foundational role in the territory’s early days, Yankton has grown into a vibrant place for families of all sizes. Children are supported by both the Yankton Public School District and Sacred Heart Catholic School, while Mount Marty College provides a local path to higher education. With an average home price of about $277,000, settling here is both sensible and sustainable.
Residents enjoy a lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty and meaningful landmarks. The expansive Lewis and Clark Recreation Area provides lakeside beaches, marinas, trails, and campgrounds, ideal for weekends spent outdoors or teaching kids to fish. Downtown, the Meridian Highway Bridge is more than just a scenic river crossing; it is a pedestrian walkway that connects two states and showcases views that stretch for miles. For quieter moments, the Sacred Heart Monastery welcomes those seeking spiritual peace and reflection through its tranquil setting and guided retreats.
Huron
Huron stands out as a place where small-town ease meets a strong sense of belonging. With homes averaging just $169,000, it is one of the most affordable places to settle in the state. Reliable healthcare is close by at Huron Regional Medical Center, while the Huron Farmer’s Market brings fresh produce, baked treats, and friendly faces to the heart of town each week.
This is also a town that knows how to celebrate. The South Dakota State Fair is a major highlight, bringing together livestock shows, rodeos, concerts, and homegrown fun that reflects the region’s agricultural spirit. For those who appreciate offbeat attractions, the World’s Largest Pheasant is a proud roadside symbol of local identity. Meanwhile, The Cornerpost Grapefarm and Winehouse invites neighbors and newcomers to relax with a glass of wine in a setting built for connection and calm.
Pierre
Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, offers more than just a seat of government—it is a town where daily life feels grounded, connected, and full of purpose. With an average home price of around $297,000, buying a home here remains within reach for many families seeking long-term stability. River Cities Public Transit makes it easy to move about the city without relying on a personal vehicle, while The Hero Gym, LLC keeps residents active and healthy with family memberships priced at just $80 per year, an unbeatable value that supports a lifestyle rooted in wellness.
The city is rich in educational and cultural experiences for all ages. The South Dakota State Capitol, a beautifully restored Greek Revival structure completed in 1910, anchors the downtown with its grand architecture and public tours that showcase its heritage. At the South Dakota State Historical Society Museum, families can explore thousands of artifacts—from Lakota headdresses to political memorabilia, that help tell the story of the state through personal and historical lenses. Curiosity thrives at the South Dakota Discovery Center, where interactive STEM exhibits inspire hands-on learning and ignite a lifelong love of science in kids and adults.
For those who love the outdoors, Oahe Dam is a local gem, having daily powerplant tours and sweeping views of the Missouri River. With opportunities for fishing, boating, and nature walks, it is a favorite weekend escape for locals.
Vermillion
Set along the banks of the Missouri River, Vermillion blends academic excellence with small-town steadiness, creating a place where education, wellness, and heritage all hold a meaningful role in daily life. As home to the University of South Dakota, the town serves as the state’s only location for accredited medical, law, and business schools—a major draw for families seeking strong academic foundations across generations. With the average home costing around $270,000, many find it worthwhile to invest in the town. To top it off, health-conscious living is also well supported here, thanks to the Vermillion Area Farmers Market. Beyond selling fresh produce, grains, and dairy, the market champions local food systems and promotes the benefits of organic eating.
When it comes to enrichment, Vermillion delivers in full. The National Music Museum, housed in the beautifully restored Carnegie Library, invites visitors of all ages to explore global musical heritage through twelve reimagined exhibition spaces. Those with an eye for tradition can visit the W. H. Over Museum, where local artifacts and Native American craftsmanship share space with exhibits that bring the region’s past into vivid focus. For time spent outdoors, Spirit Mound State Historic Prairie provides both natural beauty and cultural storytelling, with a legendary hill once believed by Native tribes to be sacred ground. Rounding out the experience, Valiant Vineyards Winery & Distillery is a relaxing retreat, where South Dakota’s first commercial wine continues to be poured by the family who helped start it all.
Watertown
Watertown offers the kind of well-balanced living that appeals to families, professionals, and retirees alike. With an average home price of about $313,336, settling down here feels practical. This northeastern South Dakota city provides more than just a place to live—it delivers an environment that supports wellness and recreation. For families, Bramble Park Zoo stands out as a beloved destination. Spanning 15 acres and housing over 130 animal species, it is the second-largest zoo in the state. Just a short drive away, the Redlin Art Center honors one of Watertown’s most cherished artists. Inside, more than 160 original oil paintings by Terry Redlin are on display, celebrating American life through the artist’s lens.
For warm-weather enjoyment, the Watertown Family Aquatic Center serves as a go-to destination. With multiple pools and features including a frog slide, drop slide, water walk, lap lanes, diving board, and in-water playground, it has something for every age. Whether you are teaching a child to swim or relaxing in the sun, the center brings people together through activity and laughter.
South Dakota’s best small towns to call home in 2025 reflect a lifestyle built on connection, balance, and quiet strength. From Aberdeen’s community-driven parks to Brookings’ university pulse, and from Vermillion’s academic prestige to Mitchell’s rich heritage, each place brings something distinct to the table. Whether it is an engaging museum, a relaxing winery, or the calm of a nearby lake, these towns make it clear that home is not just about where you live; it is about how fully life fits together. With budget-friendly home prices, educational opportunity, and room to grow, these eight towns show that South Dakota continues to be a wise and welcoming place to settle down.
