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South Dakota

Cost of living in Lake County, SD

Estimated monthly cost
$2,514/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 11,052 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $670 27%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $470 19%
Groceries $324 13%
Transport $320 13%
Energy $200 8%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Lake County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$603
per month
1 bedroom
$670
per month
2 bedroom
$879
per month
3 bedroom
$1,121
per month
4 bedroom
$1,445
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lake County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$73,792
per year
Individual earnings
$38,824
per year
Per capita
$43,820
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lake County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$231,000
Annual property tax
$2,463

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lake 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 Lake County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.6%

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 Lake 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 Lake County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
15.7 min
Drive alone
78.0%
Public transit
1.4%
Work from home
9.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lake County

What it costs to live in Lake County each month.

Single person
$2,514
per month
  • Rent $670
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $470
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,878
per month
  • Rent $879
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $878
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,254
per month
  • Rent $1,121
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $878
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Lake County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lake County?

In Lake County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $670 per month, a two-bedroom averages $879 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,121 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lake County?

In Lake County, SD, the average household income is $73,792 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,824 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lake County?

The estimated cost of living in Lake County, SD is approximately $2,514 per month for a single person, $3,878 for a couple, $6,254 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lake County?

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

Is Lake County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lake County, SD would need approximately $2,514 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $73,792 per year ($6,149 per month). Lake County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Lake County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lake County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lake County?

The average home value in Lake County, SD is $231,000, with average annual property taxes of $2,463, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lake County compare to other areas?

You can compare Lake County, SD with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lake 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 Lake 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