Brookings, SD vs Rutherford, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Brookings
77.7
#220 nationally
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Brookings leads in average commute (12.6 min vs 33.5 min). Rutherford leads in median household income ($128,576 vs $57,824). Rutherford leads in walk score (67 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brookings, SD | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.7 (#220) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 24,312 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $327,724 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $57,824 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 12.6 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 97 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+17.4 | D+3.4 |
C+
77.7 Score
Brookings, SD
Small South Dakota city with local appeal
Median Home
$327,724
Population
24,312
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Brookings, SD →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →
Try a different matchup
Swap Brookings for: