Cost of Living in Dell Rapids, SD

Population 3,947 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dell Rapids sits on the smaller end of the South Dakota city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 0.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Dell Rapids sits roughly 20 miles north of Sioux Falls. Housing prices track closely with Sioux Falls' $271,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 93
Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in Dell Rapids

The median home value in Dell Rapids is $284,400 — 7% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $919/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $101,250/year is 36% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.9%, 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 55.5°F and lows of 34.8°F. Overall, Dell Rapids has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$284,400
7% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$394,015
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$919/mo
30% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.8x
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 81.1%
Renter-occupied 18.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$919
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,533/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
25.3 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.8%
Carpooled
4.7%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
7.6%

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
$101,250
36% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,242
Unemployment Rate
0.9%
82% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor Force Participation
68.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.5%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.7
Male median age 41.7
Female median age 37.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.5°F
Avg Low
34.8°F
Annual Precip
29.6"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 242942576979838073594229
Low °F 61123344758615949372312
Precip" 0.710.891.803.263.794.993.443.233.082.301.270.86

💨 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

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
991
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dell Rapids, SD?

Dell Rapids has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Dell Rapids, SD?

The median gross rent in Dell Rapids is $919 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dell Rapids?

The median home value in Dell Rapids is $284,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dell Rapids?

The median household income in Dell Rapids is $101,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dell Rapids, SD?

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

Is Dell Rapids, SD affordable?

Yes, Dell Rapids is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Dell Rapids?

Dell Rapids has average high temperatures of 55.5°F and average lows of 34.8°F. Annual precipitation is 29.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Dell Rapids at a Glance

Population
3,947
Median Income
$101,250
Home Value
$284,400
Median Rent
$919/mo
Unemployment
0.9%
Avg High Temp
55.5°F
Sales Tax
6.1%
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🗺️ County data for South Dakota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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