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Vermillion, SD

Cost of living in Clay County, SD

Estimated monthly cost
$2,287/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 15,133 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $697 30%
Healthcare $480 21%
Groceries $324 14%
Transport $320 14%
Federal tax $216 9%
Energy $200 9%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Clay County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$627
per month
1 bedroom
$697
per month
2 bedroom
$914
per month
3 bedroom
$1,281
per month
4 bedroom
$1,535
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Clay County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$58,794
per year
Individual earnings
$22,945
per year
Per capita
$29,412
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Clay County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$221,800
Annual property tax
$2,879

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Clay 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 Clay County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.3%

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 Clay 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 Clay County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.7 min
Drive alone
73.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
7.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Clay County

What it costs to live in Clay County each month.

Single person
$2,287
per month
  • Rent $697
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $216
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,667
per month
  • Rent $914
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $632
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,168
per month
  • Rent $1,281
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $632
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Clay County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Clay County?

In Clay County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $697 per month, a two-bedroom averages $914 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,281 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Clay County?

In Clay County, SD, the average household income is $58,794 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $22,945 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Clay County?

The estimated cost of living in Clay County, SD is approximately $2,287 per month for a single person, $3,667 for a couple, $6,168 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Clay County?

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

Is Clay County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Clay County, SD would need approximately $2,287 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $58,794 per year ($4,900 per month). Clay County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Clay County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Clay County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Clay County?

The average home value in Clay County, SD is $221,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,879, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Clay County compare to other areas?

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