South Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Bennett County, SD

The median household in Bennett County, SD earns $53,750 a year ($4,479/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,182/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $47,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$53,750$4,479 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,182HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)88.6-11.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential SD
Census Population3,345Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Bennett County, SD

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,182Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$47,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,344At 30% of $53,750
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Bennett County, SD

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Bennett County, SD. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Bennett County, SD
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$815$9,780$32,60018.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$901$10,812$36,04020.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,182$14,184$47,28026.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,417$17,004$56,68031.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,830$21,960$73,20040.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Bennett County, SD →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Bennett County, SD

Based on the local median household income of $53,750/year ($4,479/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,240/moRent ($1,182 2-BR), utilities (~$138/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,344/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$896/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in South Dakota

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and South Dakota state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$53,750
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,750
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,368After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,781Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,745Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,270 / yr
South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,112 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across South Dakota with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bennett County, SD

What is the median household income in Bennett County, SD?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bennett County, SD is $53,750 per year (approximately $4,479 per month).

What is the average rent in Bennett County, SD?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Bennett County, SD are $815 for a studio, $901 for 1 bedroom, $1,182 for 2 bedrooms, $1,417 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,830 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Bennett County, SD compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Bennett County, SD is 88.6 (11.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bennett County, SD?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,182/month) in Bennett County, SD requires a minimum gross household income of $47,280 per year ($3,940 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Bennett County, SD?

For a typical household earning the median income of $53,750/year ($4,479/month) in Bennett County, SD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,240/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,344/month to discretionary spending, and $896/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Bennett County, SD?

Residential electricity rates in South Dakota average 15.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $138 per month.