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South Dakota

Cost of living in Buffalo County, SD

Estimated monthly cost
$2,576/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 1,757 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $825 32%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $377 15%
Groceries $324 13%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $200 8%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Buffalo County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$742
per month
1 bedroom
$825
per month
2 bedroom
$1,082
per month
3 bedroom
$1,304
per month
4 bedroom
$1,688
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Buffalo County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$47,000
per year
Individual earnings
$33,140
per year
Per capita
$17,408
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Buffalo County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$108,000
Annual property tax
$843

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Buffalo 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 Buffalo County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
42.9%

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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
14.1 min
Drive alone
76.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
12.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Buffalo County

What it costs to live in Buffalo County each month.

Single person
$2,576
per month
  • Rent $825
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $377
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,651
per month
  • Rent $1,082
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $448
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,007
per month
  • Rent $1,304
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $448
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Buffalo County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Buffalo County?

In Buffalo County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $825 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,082 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,304 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Buffalo County?

In Buffalo County, SD, the average household income is $47,000 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,140 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Buffalo County?

The estimated cost of living in Buffalo County, SD is approximately $2,576 per month for a single person, $3,651 for a couple, $6,007 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Buffalo County?

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

Is Buffalo County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Buffalo County, SD would need approximately $2,576 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $47,000 per year ($3,917 per month). Buffalo County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Buffalo County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Buffalo County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 42.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Buffalo County?

The average home value in Buffalo County, SD is $108,000, with average annual property taxes of $843, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Buffalo County compare to other areas?

You can compare Buffalo County, SD with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Buffalo County is in South Dakota.

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 Buffalo 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