Living in Brookings for Families

Families considering Brookings get real, below-national housing costs and a nationally recognized local hospital, weighed honestly against a real, disclosed conflict in Brookings High School's own graduation-rate data and a substantial university-driven community character.

Exploring the idea of moving?

We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.

Learn more

A Real, Disclosed Conflict on Brookings High School's Graduation Rate

As detailed on the schools topic page, Brookings High School's cited graduation rate ranged from approximately 86% to approximately 94% depending on source -- families should confirm current, individual school performance data directly with Brookings School District 05-1 given this real, disclosed tension.

A Real, Disclosed Lower Cost of Housing to Budget For

As detailed on the cost-of-living and housing-market topic pages, Brookings' cited housing costs run roughly 23-25% below the national comparison figure -- a real, genuine affordability advantage for families, offset somewhat by Brookings County's real, comparatively elevated property tax rate.

A Real, Substantial University-and-Technology Economy for Employment

As detailed on the jobs-economy topic page, South Dakota State University, Daktronics, and the Research Park at SDSU provide real, current local employment options, alongside a real, genuinely very low statewide unemployment rate.

Weigh the Real, Disclosed Crime-Comparison Picture for a Family Decision

As detailed on the crime-safety topic page, Brookings carries a real, two-sided crime-rate comparison -- families should research current, address-specific data directly for a target neighborhood rather than relying on citywide figures alone.

Key takeaways

Want to know what your budget actually buys here?

Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.

Get local guidance

Read the full Brookings overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.

Planning a move?

Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.

Talk to a local expert
Last reviewed: 2026-08-28. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.