Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$54,076$4,506 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Mellette County, SD
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Mellette County, SD
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Mellette County, SD. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $654 | $7,848 | $26,160 | 14.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $722 | $8,664 | $28,880 | 16% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $948 | $11,376 | $37,920 | 21% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,206 | $14,472 | $48,240 | 26.8% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,468 | $17,616 | $58,720 | 32.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Mellette County, SD
Based on the local median household income of $54,076/year ($4,506/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across South Dakota with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Mellette County, SD
What is the median household income in Mellette County, SD?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Mellette County, SD is $54,076 per year (approximately $4,506 per month).
What is the average rent in Mellette County, SD?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Mellette County, SD are $654 for a studio, $722 for 1 bedroom, $948 for 2 bedrooms, $1,206 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,468 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Mellette County, SD compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Mellette 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 Mellette County, SD?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($948/month) in Mellette County, SD requires a minimum gross household income of $37,920 per year ($3,160 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Mellette County, SD?
For a typical household earning the median income of $54,076/year ($4,506/month) in Mellette County, SD, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,253/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,352/month to discretionary spending, and $901/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Mellette 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.