Cost of Living in Brandon, SD

Population 10,996 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brandon is a smaller South Dakota community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $104,806 and housing costs ($317,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 8 miles east of Sioux Falls, Brandon falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Sioux Falls' $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 104
Rent 75

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brandon

The median home value in Brandon is $317,300 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $989/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,806/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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 58.0°F and lows of 36.6°F, with about 45.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Brandon has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$317,300
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$384,029
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$989/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$598
1 BR
$702
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,213
4 BR
$1,391
Owner-occupied 80.3%
Renter-occupied 19.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$989
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,603/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.8 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.8%
Carpooled
6.0%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
16.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 6.1%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$104,806
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,055
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
69% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
76.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.0%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.7
Male median age 36.7
Female median age 38.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.0°F
Avg Low
36.6°F
Annual Precip
27.9"
Annual Snowfall
45.3"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273245597181858376614532
Low °F 91324364859636152382513
Precip" 0.600.831.603.003.864.233.253.342.732.361.220.83
Snow" 8.08.67.25.10.10.00.00.00.01.46.28.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
64.4%
Good air days/yr
181
Max AQI recorded
96
PM2.5 days
254
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

98%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
4,464
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brandon, SD?

Brandon has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brandon, SD?

The median gross rent in Brandon is $989 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brandon?

The median home value in Brandon is $317,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brandon?

The median household income in Brandon is $104,806 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brandon, SD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brandon is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.

Is Brandon, SD affordable?

Brandon is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Brandon?

Brandon has average high temperatures of 58.0°F and average lows of 36.6°F. Annual precipitation is 27.9". Average annual snowfall is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brandon at a Glance

Population
10,996
Median Income
$104,806
Home Value
$317,300
Median Rent
$989/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Avg High Temp
58.0°F
Sales Tax
6.1%
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