Cost of Living in Hand County, South Dakota

$553/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$152,100
Median Home Value
27% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$553/mo
27% below state average
Median Home Value
$152,100
46% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
23.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Hand County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Hand County$553/mo
South Dakota Average$756/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$553/mo
Median Gross Rent
$152,100
Median Home Value
$760/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
23.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Hand County, South Dakota

Hand County: South Dakota's affordability champion

Hand County achieves a remarkable 9.2% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among these eight counties and significantly better than the state average of 13.8%. With $553 median rent against a $72,054 median income, the county offers genuinely exceptional housing affordability.

Cheapest rents, best affordability ratio statewide

Hand County's $553 median rent ranks among South Dakota's lowest, paired with the strongest rent-to-income ratio (9.2%) in this county set. The combination of depressed rents and respectable incomes creates outstanding affordability compared to state peers.

Clear affordability advantage across the region

Hand County's $553 rent undercuts every neighboring county in this analysis, with the next-closest being Gregory County at $614. The 9.2% affordability ratio stands as the best in the region, offering renters unmatched purchasing power for their housing dollar.

Exceptionally low rents unlock household flexibility

Hand County renters spend just $553 monthly while homeowners pay $760, leaving substantial income room against the $72,054 median. At 9.2% of income dedicated to rent, households retain 90.8% of earnings for all other needs—extraordinary flexibility.

Unmatched affordability for rent-conscious movers

Hand County is South Dakota's best-kept housing affordability secret, with rents significantly below state averages and outstanding rent-to-income ratios. If keeping housing costs minimal is your priority, no county in this set offers better value.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Hand County

$

Rent Burden

9.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,681

per month

Owner Cost Burden

12.7%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Hand County

Median home value is $152,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,214 vs. your max of $1,681.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio9.2%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hand County, South Dakota?
Hand County, South Dakota has a median monthly rent of $553/mo and a median home value of $152,100. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 23.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Hand County?
The median gross rent in Hand County is $553/mo. This is 27% below state average for South Dakota.
Is Hand County affordable?
Hand County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 23.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Hand County's rent compare to the state average?
Hand County's median rent of $553/mo is 27% below state average of $756/mo for South Dakota.
What is the median home value in Hand County?
The median home value in Hand County, South Dakota is $152,100. This is 46% below the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.