South Dakota Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 66 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$756/mo
Average Home Value
$166,130
Average Owner Cost
$824/mo
At a Glance
Housing Costs in South Dakota: An Overview
The median rent in South Dakota is $756 per month, which is 35% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within South Dakota, housing costs vary significantly by county. Lincoln County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,237 per month and a median home value of $323,500. At the other end of the spectrum, Jackson County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $460 per month and homes valued at a median of $111,500.
The average home value across South Dakota counties is $166,130, 41% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $66,926, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to South Dakota, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in South Dakota
How median rents are spread across 66 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
All South Dakota Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | Moderate$1,237/mo | $323,500 | $1,555/mo | 26.0% |
| Meade County | Moderate$1,150/mo | $274,800 | $1,261/mo | 26.0% |
| Custer County | Moderate$1,117/mo | $327,200 | $1,062/mo | 21.0% |
| Pennington County | Moderate$1,066/mo | $270,400 | $1,241/mo | 29.0% |
| Union County | Moderate$1,055/mo | $269,500 | $1,255/mo | 24.0% |
| Walworth County | Affordable$962/mo | $130,000 | $811/mo | 26.0% |
| Minnehaha County | Affordable$954/mo | $266,600 | $1,286/mo | 25.0% |
| Butte County | Affordable$940/mo | $207,700 | $990/mo | 27.0% |
| Hughes County | Affordable$930/mo | $221,100 | $1,131/mo | 24.0% |
| Lawrence County | Affordable$923/mo | $310,800 | $913/mo | 26.0% |
| Hyde County | Affordable$921/mo | $134,500 | $823/mo | 30.0% |
| Sully County | Affordable$913/mo | $198,700 | $773/mo | 26.0% |
| Codington County | Affordable$901/mo | $218,000 | $985/mo | 24.0% |
| Stanley County | Affordable$896/mo | $169,900 | $1,030/mo | 24.0% |
| Edmunds County | Affordable$881/mo | $163,600 | $853/mo | 15.0% |
| Brookings County | Affordable$874/mo | $246,300 | $1,155/mo | 24.0% |
| Potter County | Affordable$869/mo | $121,300 | $657/mo | 24.0% |
| Lake County | Affordable$868/mo | $231,000 | $908/mo | 26.0% |
| Fall River County | Affordable$866/mo | $176,300 | $849/mo | 38.0% |
| Douglas County | Affordable$864/mo | $125,000 | $712/mo | 17.0% |
| Beadle County | Affordable$834/mo | $178,400 | $917/mo | 27.0% |
| Tripp County | Affordable$809/mo | $137,100 | $730/mo | 37.0% |
| Brown County | Affordable$794/mo | $212,900 | $1,126/mo | 23.0% |
| Yankton County | Affordable$777/mo | $208,200 | $1,002/mo | 22.0% |
| Hamlin County | Affordable$769/mo | $207,700 | $1,018/mo | 20.0% |
| Davison County | Affordable$750/mo | $190,000 | $889/mo | 25.0% |
| McCook County | Affordable$750/mo | $217,300 | $963/mo | 21.0% |
| Turner County | Affordable$745/mo | $199,000 | $950/mo | 23.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$743/mo | $147,200 | $730/mo | 18.0% |
| Aurora County | Affordable$739/mo | $129,000 | $804/mo | 17.0% |
| Mellette County | Affordable$737/mo | $63,000 | $535/mo | 20.0% |
| Clay County | Affordable$736/mo | $221,800 | $1,230/mo | 25.0% |
| Hanson County | Affordable$733/mo | $192,400 | $923/mo | 17.0% |
| Charles Mix County | Affordable$727/mo | $169,200 | $723/mo | 22.0% |
| Kingsbury County | Affordable$725/mo | $159,600 | $805/mo | 34.0% |
| Moody County | Affordable$723/mo | $206,300 | $871/mo | 21.0% |
| Sanborn County | Affordable$717/mo | $138,500 | $751/mo | 27.0% |
| Ziebach County | Affordable$715/mo | $101,700 | $651/mo | 28.0% |
| Dewey County | Affordable$714/mo | $75,400 | $618/mo | 22.0% |
| Hutchinson County | Affordable$714/mo | $160,500 | $741/mo | 22.0% |
| Clark County | Affordable$709/mo | $141,900 | $750/mo | 20.0% |
| Perkins County | Affordable$703/mo | $105,900 | $655/mo | 24.0% |
| Brule County | Affordable$700/mo | $205,500 | $739/mo | 22.0% |
| Faulk County | Affordable$692/mo | $124,100 | $695/mo | 17.0% |
| Spink County | Affordable$691/mo | $117,400 | $744/mo | 17.0% |
| Haakon County | Affordable$688/mo | $153,200 | $659/mo | 17.0% |
| Deuel County | Affordable$668/mo | $180,100 | $788/mo | 18.0% |
| Grant County | Affordable$668/mo | $179,400 | $873/mo | 24.0% |
| Roberts County | Affordable$656/mo | $139,100 | $693/mo | 22.0% |
| Campbell County | Affordable$635/mo | $87,900 | $672/mo | 26.0% |
| Day County | Affordable$623/mo | $155,100 | $791/mo | 23.0% |
| Bon Homme County | Affordable$620/mo | $120,300 | $747/mo | 21.0% |
| Bennett County | Affordable$616/mo | $138,600 | $628/mo | 19.0% |
| Gregory County | Affordable$614/mo | $129,000 | $583/mo | 24.0% |
| Lyman County | Affordable$603/mo | $156,500 | $633/mo | 17.0% |
| McPherson County | Affordable$580/mo | $78,400 | $537/mo | 23.0% |
| Jerauld County | Affordable$565/mo | $127,000 | $730/mo | 18.0% |
| Miner County | Affordable$563/mo | $114,100 | $668/mo | 15.0% |
| Oglala Lakota County | Affordable$563/mo | $45,600 | $406/mo | 20.0% |
| Hand County | Affordable$553/mo | $152,100 | $760/mo | 23.0% |
| Jones County | Affordable$544/mo | $117,100 | $854/mo | 14.0% |
| Todd County | Affordable$537/mo | $45,200 | $405/mo | 20.0% |
| Buffalo County | Affordable$535/mo | $108,000 | $328/mo | 19.0% |
| Harding County | Affordable$478/mo | $156,400 | $674/mo | 9.0% |
| Corson County | Affordable$473/mo | $73,800 | $548/mo | 18.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$460/mo | $111,500 | $593/mo | 26.0% |
Compare South Dakota to Other States
See how South Dakota counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About South Dakota Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in South Dakota?
What is the most expensive county to live in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in South Dakota?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.