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Rapid City, SD

Cost of living in Meade County, SD

Part of the Rapid City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,663/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 30,297 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $835 31%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $454 17%
Groceries $324 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $200 8%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Meade County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$751
per month
1 bedroom
$835
per month
2 bedroom
$1,095
per month
3 bedroom
$1,506
per month
4 bedroom
$1,839
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Meade County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,161
per year
Individual earnings
$37,800
per year
Per capita
$36,301
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Meade County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$274,800
Annual property tax
$2,840

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Meade 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 Meade 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 Meade 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 Meade County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
77.0%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
7.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Meade County

What it costs to live in Meade County each month.

Single person
$2,663
per month
  • Rent $835
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $454
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,100
per month
  • Rent $1,095
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $884
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,645
per month
  • Rent $1,506
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $884
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Meade County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Meade County?

In Meade County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $835 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,095 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,506 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Meade County?

In Meade County, SD, the average household income is $74,161 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,800 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Meade County?

The estimated cost of living in Meade County, SD is approximately $2,663 per month for a single person, $4,100 for a couple, $6,645 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Meade County?

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

Is Meade County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Meade County, SD would need approximately $2,663 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,161 per year ($6,180 per month). Meade County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Meade County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Meade 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 Meade County?

The average home value in Meade County, SD is $274,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,840, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Meade County compare to other areas?

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