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Cost of Living & Affordability: Vermillion, SD

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Vermillion, SD

Cap Rate
1.87%
Median Price
$280K
Rent/Mo
$950
1% Rule
0.34%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Vermillion's price-to-income ratio is 5.0x — homes cost 5.0 times the local median household income of $56,400. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Vermillion (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,862/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $2,235. The median rent of $950/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Vermillion is $56,400, with a population of 50,000 growing at 1.4% per year. Vermillion is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions. Moderate population growth indicates a stable economic foundation.

What This Means for Investors

Vermillion is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Vermillion Compares

Vermillion vs South Dakota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Vermillion's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Vermillion
South Dakota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
1.87%
2.24%
3.81%
Median Price
$280K
$300K
$333K
Median Rent
$950
$1,106
$1,524
Property Tax
1.2%
1.2%
1.08%
Vacancy
4.9%
4.9%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.4%/yr
1.4%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Vermillion, SD
1.9%
$280K
$950
1.2%
Fond du Lac, WI
1.6%
$280K
$1,070
1.88%
Janesville, WI
2.3%
$280K
$1,230
1.88%
Indianapolis, IN
4.2%
$285K
$1,490
0.84%
Carmel, IN
4.4%
$285K
$1,490
0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vermillion affordable for renters?
Renters in Vermillion spend approximately 20% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $56,400, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Vermillion?
Vermillion's price-to-income ratio is 5.0x, meaning homes cost 5.0 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Vermillion?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $280K home is approximately $1,490/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,863/mo. The median rent of $950/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Vermillion's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Vermillion ($280K) are 16% below the national average. Rents ($950/mo) are 38% below average. Property taxes (1.2%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Vermillion Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Vermillion & Related Markets

More Vermillion Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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