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Rapid City, SD

Cost of living in Custer County, SD

Part of the Rapid City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,772/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 8,686 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $794 29%
Federal tax $604 22%
Healthcare $480 17%
Groceries $324 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $200 7%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Custer County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$715
per month
1 bedroom
$794
per month
2 bedroom
$1,042
per month
3 bedroom
$1,460
per month
4 bedroom
$1,664
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Custer County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$81,958
per year
Individual earnings
$46,957
per year
Per capita
$50,278
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Custer County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$327,200
Annual property tax
$2,549

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Custer 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 Custer County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.1%

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 Custer 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 Custer County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.1 min
Drive alone
77.6%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
11.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Custer County

What it costs to live in Custer County each month.

Single person
$2,772
per month
  • Rent $794
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $604
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,174
per month
  • Rent $1,042
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,011
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,726
per month
  • Rent $1,460
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,011
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Custer County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Custer County?

In Custer County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $794 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,042 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,460 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Custer County?

In Custer County, SD, the average household income is $81,958 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $46,957 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Custer County?

The estimated cost of living in Custer County, SD is approximately $2,772 per month for a single person, $4,174 for a couple, $6,726 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Custer County?

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

Is Custer County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Custer County, SD would need approximately $2,772 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $81,958 per year ($6,830 per month). Custer County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Custer County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Custer County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Custer County?

The average home value in Custer County, SD is $327,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,549, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Custer County compare to other areas?

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