Cost of Living in Watertown, SD - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,082 (excluding rent), and $2,430 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,579 (excluding rent), and $4,553 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.99 $14.99

$11.99 $11.99

$44.96 $44.96

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58 $58

$55.4 $55.4

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.86 $9.86

$19.72 $19.72

Cappuccino

$5.26 $5.26

$3.07 $3.07

$7.16 $7.16

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.01 $2.01

$4.03 $4.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$3.05 $3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.93 $5.93

$3.75 $3.75

$11.85 $11.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.84 $6.84

$5.86 $5.86

$11.73 $11.73

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.75 $0.75

$1.26 $1.26

White Bread (500g)

$4.26 $4.26

$1.96 $1.96

$6.71 $6.71

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.01 $4.01

$2.7 $2.7

$5.2 $5.2

Eggs

$3.22 $3.22

$1.68 $1.68

$3.97 $3.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.18 $9.18

$6.47 $6.47

$17.27 $17.27

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.75 $11.75

$5.54 $5.54

$22.18 $22.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.29 $9.29

$21.65 $21.65

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$2.82 $2.82

$9.01 $9.01

Banana (1kg)

$1.2 $1.2

$1.1 $1.1

$4.03 $4.03

Oranges (1kg)

$5.74 $5.74

$3.29 $3.29

$13.14 $13.14

Tomato (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.39 $3.39

$8.35 $8.35

Potato (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$2.25 $2.25

$9.01 $9.01

Onion (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$2.04 $2.04

$6.46 $6.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.48 $1.48

$2.96 $2.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.12 $1.12

$2.55 $2.55

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.53 $8.53

$11.04 $11.04

Wine (Bottle)

$12.03 $12.03

$6.02 $6.02

$15.04 $15.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.79 $2.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.41 $4.41

$1.96 $1.96

$4.9 $4.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.24 $1.24

$1.98 $1.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.9 $4.9

$3.18 $3.18

$7.84 $7.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.25 $1.25

$1.57 $1.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.93 $28.93

$26.16 $26.16

$34.69 $34.69

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.8 $0.8

$0.72 $0.72

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.2K $36.2K

$25K $25K

$36.8K $36.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$24.9K $24.9K

$26.3K $26.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$123 $123

$299 $299

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.75 $48.75

$33.11 $33.11

$90.3 $90.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.2 $55.2

$45.19 $45.19

$100 $100

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.06 $43.06

$17.53 $17.53

$50.1 $50.1

Cinema Ticket

$13.87 $13.87

$11.89 $11.89

$14.86 $14.86

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,434 $1,434

$947 $947

$1,973 $1,973

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30K $30K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.59 $39.59

$23.35 $23.35

$102 $102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.74 $42.74

$30.53 $30.53

$66.2 $66.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.6 $75.6

$60.5 $60.5

$121 $121

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 $124

$59.3 $59.3

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,177 $1,177

$1,822 $1,822

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,350 $1,350

$998 $998

$1,496 $1,496

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,651 $2,651

$2,016 $2,016

$3,024 $3,024

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,226 $2,226

$1,703 $1,703

$2,504 $2,504

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,090 $3,090

$2,266 $2,266

$3,090 $3,090

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,119 $2,119

$1,731 $1,731

$2,119 $2,119

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,323 $2,323

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Watertown, SD - Frequently Asked Questions

Watertown offers a practical, slower pace that many travelers, expats, and digital nomads value. Everyday needs – from groceries to utilities and healthcare – tend to be affordable, and there are solid options for dining out that won’t break the budget. The city’s compact size keeps transit simple: you’ll rely less on rideshares and more on walking, biking, or short drives to groceries, lakes, and coworking spaces. For longer stays, look for a well-located unit in central neighborhoods or near the lake to minimize travel time. The Cost of Living in Watertown, SD, United States remains approachable for diverse itineraries and work rhythms. Tip: Bundle errands by area to save time and fuel.

Daily life here blends practicality with nature-rich breaks between work and errands. For housing, start with central neighborhoods or the lakeside edge to balance access to shops with outdoor space; leases in smaller buildings or older homes can offer charm and efficiency. Food wise, you’ll find a mix of grocery stores, farmers markets when in season, and casual eateries that emphasize local ingredients. Transit is mainly car-oriented, with walkable cores; biking is pleasant in good weather. If you need a coworking setup, look for cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi or small coworking spaces around the downtown. Watertown, SD, United States living cost tends to be friendly for varied routines. Tip: Schedule groceries and meals to reduce trips.

Quality of life here often hinges on choosing the right balance between quiet streets and access to services. A simple budgeting framework helps you adapt to seasonality and local rhythms: allocate steady housing costs, set aside flexible funds for dining, outdoor activities, and occasional weekend trips to nearby towns. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown and lakeside pockets offer walkability and social scenes, while steadier residential areas provide space and schools if you’re staying longer. Save by shopping at local markets, taking advantage of public amenities, and biking when weather allows. With reliable seasons and a community feel, you can shape a comfortable cadence that fits your work and travel style. Tip: Build a weekly plan that clusters errands over a few days.