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South Dakota

Cost of living in Mellette County, SD

Estimated monthly cost
$2,286/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 2,043 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $665 29%
Healthcare $480 21%
Groceries $324 14%
Federal tax $317 14%
Transport $250 11%
Energy $200 9%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Mellette County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$598
per month
1 bedroom
$665
per month
2 bedroom
$872
per month
3 bedroom
$1,071
per month
4 bedroom
$1,360
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Mellette County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$51,364
per year
Individual earnings
$29,458
per year
Per capita
$18,423
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Mellette County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$63,000
Annual property tax
$963

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Mellette 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 Mellette County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
28.2%

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 Mellette 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 Mellette County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
15.8 min
Drive alone
66.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
5.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Mellette County

What it costs to live in Mellette County each month.

Single person
$2,286
per month
  • Rent $665
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $317
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,435
per month
  • Rent $872
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $512
  • State tax $0
Family
$5,768
per month
  • Rent $1,071
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $512
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Mellette County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Mellette County?

In Mellette County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $665 per month, a two-bedroom averages $872 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,071 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Mellette County?

In Mellette County, SD, the average household income is $51,364 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $29,458 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Mellette County?

The estimated cost of living in Mellette County, SD is approximately $2,286 per month for a single person, $3,435 for a couple, $5,768 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Mellette County?

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

Is Mellette County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Mellette County, SD would need approximately $2,286 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $51,364 per year ($4,280 per month). Mellette County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Mellette County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Mellette County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 28.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Mellette County?

The average home value in Mellette County, SD is $63,000, with average annual property taxes of $963, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Mellette County compare to other areas?

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