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Rapid City, SD

Cost of living in Pennington County, SD

Part of the Rapid City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,696/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 112,081 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $856 32%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $466 17%
Groceries $324 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $200 7%
Water $50 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Pennington County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$767
per month
1 bedroom
$856
per month
2 bedroom
$1,119
per month
3 bedroom
$1,490
per month
4 bedroom
$1,777
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Pennington County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$70,768
per year
Individual earnings
$38,551
per year
Per capita
$40,527
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Pennington County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$270,400
Annual property tax
$3,049

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Pennington 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 Pennington County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.5%

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 Pennington 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 Pennington County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
18.7 min
Drive alone
77.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
9.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Pennington County

What it costs to live in Pennington County each month.

Single person
$2,696
per month
  • Rent $856
  • Energy $200
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $466
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,068
per month
  • Rent $1,119
  • Energy $240
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $828
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,573
per month
  • Rent $1,490
  • Energy $300
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $828
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Pennington County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Pennington County?

In Pennington County, SD, a one-bedroom apartment averages $856 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,119 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,490 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Pennington County?

In Pennington County, SD, the average household income is $70,768 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,551 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Pennington County?

The estimated cost of living in Pennington County, SD is approximately $2,696 per month for a single person, $4,068 for a couple, $6,573 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Pennington County?

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

Is Pennington County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Pennington County, SD would need approximately $2,696 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $70,768 per year ($5,897 per month). Pennington County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Pennington County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Pennington County, SD is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Pennington County?

The average home value in Pennington County, SD is $270,400, with average annual property taxes of $3,049, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Pennington County compare to other areas?

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