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Brookings, SD

Cost of living in Brookings County, SD

Estimated monthly cost
$2,526/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 34,968 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $765 30%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $387 15%
Groceries $324 13%
Transport $320 13%
Energy $200 8%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Brookings County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$761
per month
1 bedroom
$765
per month
2 bedroom
$923
per month
3 bedroom
$1,293
per month
4 bedroom
$1,550
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Brookings County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,341
per year
Individual earnings
$33,725
per year
Per capita
$34,769
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Brookings County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$246,300
Annual property tax
$2,795

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Brookings County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$142
per month · 14.2¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,400
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Brookings County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Brookings County

State and local tax rates for South Dakota.

No state income tax
South Dakota does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
4.2%
Combined sales tax
6.1%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Brookings County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
13.8 min
Drive alone
75.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
10.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Brookings County

What it costs to live in Brookings County each month.

Single person
$2,526
per month
  • Rent $765
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $387
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,816
per month
  • Rent $923
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $772
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,320
per month
  • Rent $1,293
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $772
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Brookings County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Brookings County?

In Brookings County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $765 per month, a two-bedroom averages $923 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,293 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Brookings County?

In Brookings County, SD, the average household income is $67,341 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,725 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Brookings County?

The estimated cost of living in Brookings County, SD is approximately $2,526 per month for a single person, $3,816 for a couple, $6,320 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Brookings County?

The combined sales tax rate in Brookings County, SD is 6.10%, which includes the South Dakota state rate of 4.20% plus an average local rate of 1.90%.

Is Brookings County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Brookings County, SD would need approximately $2,526 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,341 per year ($5,612 per month). Brookings County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Brookings County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Brookings County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Brookings County?

The average home value in Brookings County, SD is $246,300, with average annual property taxes of $2,795, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Brookings County compare to other areas?

You can compare Brookings County, SD with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Brookings County is in the Brookings, SD metro area.

Other counties in South Dakota

Browse the full list of counties in South Dakota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in South Dakota

Compare Brookings County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources