Cost of Living in Douglas County, South Dakota
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Douglas County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Douglas County ranks #1,337 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 43%)
Sourced county brief
Douglas County Renter Median Income Estimated at 63,438 Dollars
The median renter-household income in Douglas County is $63,438. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 17.7%, which is 5.0 percentage points below the South Dakota unweighted county mean of 22.7%. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $877 per month, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $785. The median home value is $166,900, while the state unweighted county mean is $181,021. For all owner-occupied units, the median monthly owner cost is $735, which is lower than the state unweighted county mean of $853. This housing cost summary relies exclusively on the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates for the 2020-2024 period. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Douglas County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 17.7% of renter household income in Douglas County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $877 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $735. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,080 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The South Dakota unweighted mean of county median rents is $785 per month. Douglas County's $877 median is 11.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Douglas County
Rent Burden
12.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,017
per month
Owner Cost Burden
10.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Douglas County
Median home value is $166,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,332 vs. your max of $2,017.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Douglas County, South Dakota?
What is the median rent in Douglas County?
Is Douglas County affordable?
How does Douglas County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Douglas County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Douglas County, South Dakota? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Douglas County
Whether you're buying in Douglas County, South Dakota, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.