Cost of Living in Belle Fourche, SD
Population 5,741 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Belle Fourche is a smaller South Dakota community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $59,920 and housing costs ($189,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 240 miles east of Billings, Belle Fourche is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Billings' $312,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Belle Fourche
The median home value in Belle Fourche is $188,800 — 38% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $947/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,920/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. South Dakota charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 50.0°F and lows of 32.2°F. Overall, Belle Fourche has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.
Belle Fourche has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32 | 30 | 39 | 46 | 55 | 65 | 75 | 74 | 65 | 50 | 39 | 30 |
| Low °F | 15 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 38 | 47 | 53 | 52 | 44 | 33 | 23 | 16 |
| Precip" | 1.57 | 2.03 | 2.61 | 3.56 | 3.86 | 2.93 | 2.44 | 1.92 | 1.71 | 3.06 | 1.79 | 1.73 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Belle Fourche, SD?
Belle Fourche has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.
What is average rent in Belle Fourche, SD?
The median gross rent in Belle Fourche is $947 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Belle Fourche?
The median home value in Belle Fourche is $188,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Belle Fourche?
The median household income in Belle Fourche is $59,920 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Belle Fourche, SD?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Belle Fourche is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.
Is Belle Fourche, SD affordable?
Yes, Belle Fourche is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Belle Fourche?
Belle Fourche has average high temperatures of 50.0°F and average lows of 32.2°F. Annual precipitation is 29.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Belle Fourche at a Glance
- Population
- 5,741
- Median Income
- $59,920
- Home Value
- $188,800
- Median Rent
- $947/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 50.0°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.1%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
South Dakota Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs