South Dakota · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in McCook County, SD

The median household in McCook County, SD earns $83,852 a year ($6,988/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,156/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $46,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$83,852$6,988 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,156HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.6-9.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential SD
Census Population5,751Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,156Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,096At 30% of $83,852
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: McCook County, SD

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Sioux Falls, SD HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 McCook County, SD
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$865$10,380$34,60012.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$986$11,832$39,44014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,156$13,872$46,24016.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,586$19,032$63,44022.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,939$23,268$77,56027.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for McCook County, SD →

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

Based on the local median household income of $83,852/year ($6,988/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,494/moRent ($1,156 2-BR), utilities (~$138/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,096/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,398/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.

$83,852
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$83,852
Net 81%
Fed 11%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,820After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,652Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,608Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,617 / yr
South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,415 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in McCook County, SD

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McCook County, SD is $83,852 per year (approximately $6,988 per month).

What is the average rent in McCook County, SD?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in McCook County, SD are $865 for a studio, $986 for 1 bedroom, $1,156 for 2 bedrooms, $1,586 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,939 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in McCook County, SD is 90.6 (9.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,156/month) in McCook County, SD requires a minimum gross household income of $46,240 per year ($3,853 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $83,852/year ($6,988/month) in McCook County, SD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,494/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,096/month to discretionary spending, and $1,398/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in McCook 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.