South Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Day County, SD

The median household in Day County, SD earns $66,033 a year ($5,503/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

$66,033$5,503 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 Population5,437Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Day 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 income16.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,651At 30% of $66,033
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Day County, SD

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Day 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 Day County, SD
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$641$7,692$25,64011.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$751$9,012$30,04013.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$929$11,148$37,16016.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,292$15,504$51,68023.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,438$17,256$57,52026.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Day County, SD →

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

Based on the local median household income of $66,033/year ($5,503/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,751/moRent ($929 2-BR), utilities (~$138/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,651/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,101/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.

$66,033
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,033
Net 84%
Fed 9%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,238After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,603Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,125Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,744 / yr
South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,052 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Day County, SD

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Day County, SD is $66,033 per year (approximately $5,503 per month).

What is the average rent in Day County, SD?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Day County, SD are $641 for a studio, $751 for 1 bedroom, $929 for 2 bedrooms, $1,292 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,438 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($929/month) in Day 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 Day County, SD?

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,033/year ($5,503/month) in Day County, SD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,751/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,651/month to discretionary spending, and $1,101/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Day 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.