South Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Clark County, SD

The median household in Clark County, SD earns $70,726 a year ($5,894/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $929/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,160 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,726$5,894 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$929HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)88.6-11.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential SD
Census Population3,917Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$929Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,768At 30% of $70,726
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Clark County, SD

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Clark 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 Clark County, SD
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$641$7,692$25,64010.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$847$10,164$33,88014.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$929$11,148$37,16015.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,144$13,728$45,76019.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,256$15,072$50,24021.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Clark County, SD →

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

Based on the local median household income of $70,726/year ($5,894/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,947/moRent ($929 2-BR), utilities (~$138/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,768/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,179/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.

$70,726
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,726
Net 83%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,586After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,882Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,253Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,730 / yr
South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,411 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Clark County, SD

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Clark County, SD is $70,726 per year (approximately $5,894 per month).

What is the average rent in Clark County, SD?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Clark County, SD are $641 for a studio, $847 for 1 bedroom, $929 for 2 bedrooms, $1,144 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,256 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Clark 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 Clark County, SD?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($929/month) in Clark County, SD requires a minimum gross household income of $37,160 per year ($3,097 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,726/year ($5,894/month) in Clark County, SD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,947/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,768/month to discretionary spending, and $1,179/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Clark 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.