Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Huron and Watertown, South Dakota. Using South Dakota's 1.22% property tax rate and $2,300/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Huron edges out Watertown in affordability, saving you roughly $354/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in South Dakota, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses South Dakota's 1.22% property tax rate.
Buying in Huron saves you approximately $354/month ($4,248/year) compared to Watertown, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Huron is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $175K versus $225K in Watertown. That's $50K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $6K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Huron, compared to $8K in Watertown. South Dakota offers the SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer program (Fixed-rate FTB loans) which applies in both cities.
Huron has the better price-to-rent ratio at 19.4x versus 22.1x in Watertown. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Huron is $750/month on a $175K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Watertown (pop. 22,655) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Huron (pop. 13,289) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Huron, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.