Cost of Living in Pennington 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 Pennington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Pennington County ranks #2,573 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 18%)
Sourced county brief
Pennington County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $1,120
Pennington County reported a median gross rent of $1,120 per month, which is $335 above the South Dakota unweighted county mean of $785. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.5%. This measurement is 6.8 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 22.7%. The median home value in the county was $302,200, and the median selected monthly owner cost for all owner-occupied units was $1,286. The median income for renter-households was estimated at $47,358. These figures are part of the ACS 5-year estimates covering 2020-2024 and offer a snapshot of the housing environment for both owners and renters. 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: Pennington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.5% of renter household income in Pennington 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 $1,120 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,286. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $44,800 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. Pennington County's $1,120 median is 42.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Pennington County
Rent Burden
18.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,739
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.7%
of gross income
The median home in Pennington County may be a stretch
Median home value is $302,200. Estimated monthly cost: $2,413 vs. your max of $1,739.
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 Pennington County, South Dakota?
What is the median rent in Pennington County?
Is Pennington County affordable?
How does Pennington County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Pennington County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Pennington County, South Dakota? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Pennington County
Whether you're buying in Pennington 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.