Cost of Living in Box Elder, SD
Population 12,457 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Box Elder a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $272,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Box Elder
The median home value in Box Elder is $271,800 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,354/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,698/year is 1% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below 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 59.6°F and lows of 33.7°F, with about 48.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Box Elder has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.
🏠 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 | 36 | 38 | 48 | 57 | 67 | 78 | 86 | 85 | 76 | 60 | 47 | 37 |
| Low °F | 13 | 14 | 23 | 31 | 42 | 52 | 59 | 56 | 46 | 34 | 22 | 14 |
| Precip" | 0.31 | 0.50 | 0.91 | 2.08 | 3.45 | 2.87 | 2.28 | 1.59 | 1.22 | 1.41 | 0.47 | 0.35 |
| Snow" | 5.3 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 10.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 5.7 | 6.7 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Box Elder, SD?
Box Elder has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.
What is average rent in Box Elder, SD?
The median gross rent in Box Elder is $1,354 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Box Elder?
The median home value in Box Elder is $271,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Box Elder?
The median household income in Box Elder is $73,698 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Box Elder, SD?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Box Elder is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.
Is Box Elder, SD affordable?
Box Elder is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Box Elder?
Box Elder has average high temperatures of 59.6°F and average lows of 33.7°F. Annual precipitation is 17.4". Average annual snowfall is 48.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Box Elder at a Glance
- Population
- 12,457
- Median Income
- $73,698
- Home Value
- $271,800
- Median Rent
- $1,354/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 59.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.1%
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South Dakota Rankings
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