Cost of Living in Harding County, South Dakota

$478/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$156,400
Median Home Value
37% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$478/mo
37% below state average
Median Home Value
$156,400
45% below national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
9.0%
% 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 Harding County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Harding County$478/mo
South Dakota Average$756/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$478/mo
Median Gross Rent
$156,400
Median Home Value
$674/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
9.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Harding County, South Dakota

Harding County: Extreme affordability, remote location

Harding County achieves the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this entire set at 7.7%—less than half the national stress threshold—with an exceptional $478 monthly rent. The median household income of $74,766 essentially matches the national average, making Harding's affordability advantage all about extraordinarily low rents.

South Dakota's most affordable county by far

Harding County's 7.7% rent-to-income ratio shatters the state average of 13.8%, and its $478 median rent is the lowest across all eight counties. The dramatic affordability gap reflects Harding's remote location and rural character, offering renters unparalleled value in South Dakota.

Dramatically lower rents than all peers

Harding County's $478 rent dramatically undercuts every comparison county, with the next-closest being Gregory at $614—a $136 monthly difference. The 7.7% rent-to-income ratio stands alone in this analysis, offering renters exceptional purchasing power.

Minimal rent, maximum household flexibility

Harding County renters spend just $478 monthly while homeowners pay $674, both exceptionally low amounts against the $74,766 median income. At 7.7% of income dedicated to rent, households retain 92.3% of earnings for all other purposes—extraordinary financial freedom.

Unbeatable affordability for remote-work relocators

Harding County is South Dakota's ultimate affordability outlier, with rents nearly 37% below the state average and an unmatched 7.7% rent-to-income ratio. If remote work enables location flexibility and housing cost minimization is your goal, Harding County delivers extraordinary value with the trade-off of isolation.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Harding County

$

Rent Burden

7.7%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,745

per month

Owner Cost Burden

10.8%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Harding County

Median home value is $156,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,249 vs. your max of $1,745.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio7.7%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Harding County, South Dakota?
Harding County, South Dakota has a median monthly rent of $478/mo and a median home value of $156,400. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 9.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Harding County?
The median gross rent in Harding County is $478/mo. This is 37% below state average for South Dakota.
Is Harding County affordable?
Harding County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 9.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Harding County's rent compare to the state average?
Harding County's median rent of $478/mo is 37% below state average of $756/mo for South Dakota.
What is the median home value in Harding County?
The median home value in Harding County, South Dakota is $156,400. This is 45% 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.