Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

State

Data from November 2026

Housing , home prices, rents and assistance in South Dakota (2026)

A typical home in South Dakota is worth $257,400; the typical rent is $946 a month. Depending on the county, the FHA limit for a one-unit home is between $541,287 and $541,650. 13 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve South Dakota; 8 say they serve you in Spanish.

Most populous:

Typical home value by county

  • Under $132,900
  • $132,900–$158,400
  • $158,400–$181,600
  • $181,600–$230,100
  • $230,100 or more

Tap the map to see each county’s figure and open its page.

Typical home value
$257,400
23% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $332,700
Typical rent per month
$946
33% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $1,413
Typical household income
$75,081
7% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $80,734
FHA limit, 1 unit
$541,287 to $541,650
It changes by county. The highest: Lawrence County.
U.S.: $541,287 to $1,299,500
Property tax
1.06%
of value a year
The typical bill is $2,724 a year.
U.S.: 0.94%

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD)

In short

Living in South Dakota

A typical home in South Dakota is worth $257,400, 23% less than in the country overall. Across its 66 counties, the typical value runs from $52,900 in Oglala Lakota County to $372,100 in Custer County. A typical household earns $75,081 a year and pays $946 a month in rent; 40% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing. 69% of households live in a home they own; they pay a typical property tax of $2,724 a year, about 1.06% of value.

The conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 across South Dakota. To pay HUD’s fair rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in South Dakota ($1,187) without spending more than 30% of income, you need about $22.83 an hour working full time.

Source: Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Data from 2026 data Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

The essentials in South Dakota

More on property tax

  • Owner-occupied classification

    If you own the home and live in it as your primary residence, you can receive the owner-occupied classification. Its main benefit is a lower levy (tax rate) for the school general fund. The classification lowers only that school levy; all other levies, such as county, city and school special education, are the same for every type of property.

    South Dakota Department of Revenue (Owner-Occupied Classification tax fact, July 2026) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Deadline: owner-occupied certificate by March 15

    To receive the classification, the owner files a certificate with the county director of equalization by March 15. It states that the owner owns and lives in the home as of the assessment date and that it is the owner's principal residence. The classification stays until the property changes owner or use. If you buy a home that already had this classification, the law lets you meet this step with the certificate of value filed at the time of the transfer.

    South Dakota Legislature (South Dakota Codified Laws) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Deadline to appeal the assessment to the local board

    If you disagree with anything about your property on the assessment roll (for example, its value), you can appeal to the local board of equalization. You file or mail a notice of appeal to the board's clerk. The clerk must be notified no later than the Thursday before the third Monday in March; if you mail it, the postmark date counts.

    South Dakota Legislature (South Dakota Codified Laws) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Assessment freeze for seniors and people with disabilities

    This program keeps your home's value from rising for tax purposes: if the value goes up, you pay tax on the former (lower) value. It is for owners 65 or older, or disabled as defined by the Social Security Act, who have owned an owner-occupied home and lived in South Dakota for five years (unless they received the freeze the previous year) and lived in the house at least 200 days of the previous year. The Department's brochure (December 2025) sets these limits: income under $56,595 for a one-person household or under $66,885 for a larger household, and a home with a market value under $514,500 (unless you already had the freeze). These limits change each year. You apply every year with the county treasurer by April 1.

    South Dakota Department of Revenue (Freeze on Assessments brochure, December 2025) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • State real estate transfer fee

    When title to real property in South Dakota is transferred, a fee of 50 cents for each $500 of value, or fraction, is due. The law says the grantor pays it, that is, the person transferring the property; in a sale, the seller.

    South Dakota Legislature (South Dakota Codified Laws) · Verified October 24, 2026

The homes here

Housing in South Dakota

What homes there are in South Dakota, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house rules in South Dakota: 67% of homes, more than in the U.S. (61%).

Year built

The typical year built in South Dakota is 1980, about the same as in the U.S. (1980).

In South Dakota, 62% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in the U.S..

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The most common value range in South Dakota is between $300K and $500K: that is where 26% of owner-occupied homes sit.

Monthly rent with utilities

Looking at what people pay in rent in South Dakota, the most common range is between $500 and $999 a month (43%).

With a mortgage

$1,680 a month

United States: $1,963 a month

Without a mortgage

$617 a month

United States: $638 a month

Owners with a mortgage

55%

United States: 61%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in South Dakota is $1,680 a month, less than in the U.S. ($1,963); without one, $617.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in South Dakota rose 54% since 2015–2019, about the same as in the U.S. (53%).

The typical rent in South Dakota rose 27% over the same time; in the U.S., it rose 33%.

The typical household income in South Dakota rose 29% over that time; home values changed +54% and rent +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSouth DakotaUnited States
Rental vacancy 6.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.392.53
Drive alone 77%69%
Carpool 8%9%
Public transit 1%3%
Walk or bike 3%3%
Work from home 10%15%
Other means 1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in the U.S., the rental vacancy rate in South Dakota is 6.0%.

Fewer households are short on space in South Dakota: 2.3% have more than one person per room; in the U.S., 3.4%.

Households in South Dakota are smaller: 2.39 people on average; in the U.S., 2.53.

To get to work, 77% of workers in South Dakota drive alone; in the U.S., 69%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Places

Explore the counties in South Dakota

Sort by any column or type a name. The 25 most populous are shown; the button reveals the rest.

See the counties page

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Calculator

Work out your payment in South Dakota

Start from the typical home value in South Dakota, $257,400, and this week’s average rate. Move the price and the down payment to see your monthly payment. If you already visited a county, the calculator uses its numbers.

More math for South Dakota

$
%

Estimated monthly payment

$2,161

FHA loan over 30 years, with estimated taxes and insurance.

See the full calculation

Prices and risks

Three official measures that help you decide: how much home prices have changed according to FHFA, how prices compare with the national average according to BEA, and how many homes sit in a flood zone according to FEMA.

Home prices

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in South Dakota rose 85% in the 10 years through 2025.

Price change each year

Period South Dakota United States
In 2025 +3.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +50% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +85% +85%

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual state indexes experimental.

Source: FHFA House Price Index (HPI) Data from 2025 data FHFA House Price Index (HPI)

Cost of living

How expensive are prices here?

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), in 2024 prices in South Dakota were 11% lower than the U.S. average. Housing rents were 33% lower than nationwide.

Category South Dakota United States Versus the U.S.
All prices Consumer goods and services 88.6 100.0 11% less
Housing rents What renters pay 67.6 100.6 33% less
Water, power and gas Water, sewer, electricity and gas 79.7 98.4 19% less
Goods Food, clothing, transportation and more 95.5 99.6 4% less
Other services Services other than rent 91.9 100.1 8% less

BEA expresses each index as a percentage of the average U.S. price level: a higher number means higher prices, and a lower one, lower prices.

Source: Regional price parities (BEA) Data from 2024 data Regional price parities (BEA)

Flooding

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in South Dakota 2.3% of homes (9,200) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 14% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. 44 CFR 59.1
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. 42 U.S.C. 4012a
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. FEMA, FloodSmart
South Dakota United States
Homes in a high-risk zone 2.3% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 14% 48%
All homes with NFIP insurance 0.5% 2.9%

The NFIP is the federal flood insurance program; private policies are not counted. FEMA counts homes with its National Structure Inventory. We add up the county figures FEMA publishes.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map Source: Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) As of August 3, 2026 Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA)

Places

Cities in South Dakota

The 2 most populous cities with a page. Each one compares its prices and rents with its county.

See the other cities (17)

    Help to buy

    Assistance programs in South Dakota

    Our list has 2 official programs that help you buy in South Dakota. Each card says what kind of help it gives and when we checked its official page.

    See all 2 programs
    1. Fixed Rate Plus

      South Dakota state authority mortgage with 3% or 5% of the loan for the down payment and closing costs, as a 0% second mortgage with no payments, repaid when you sell or pay off the home. Offered by South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

      Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

    2. South Dakota Housing Tax Credit (MCC)

      South Dakota state authority certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal taxes, of up to $2,000 a year while you live in the home and keep the original mortgage; for first-time buyers, requested through a participating lender before closing. Offered by South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

      Tax credit Verified November 5, 2026

    Tenant rights

    Tenant rights in South Dakota

    South Dakota law answers 3 of these 5 questions, each answer with its citation. Where it says “Data not available”, we have not verified it against the source yet.

    A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

    See every right

    1. How much can they charge for a deposit?

      In South Dakota, the landlord of a home cannot ask for or accept a security deposit of more than one month's rent. Any money you pay to secure the rental agreement counts as a deposit, whatever it is called. You and the landlord can agree to a larger deposit only when special conditions pose a danger to the upkeep of the home.

      S.D. Codified Laws §43-32-6.1

    2. When must they return my deposit?

      When the tenancy ends and you give the landlord your mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord has 21 days to return your deposit. If the landlord keeps all or part of it, within that time the landlord must give you the specific reason in writing.

      S.D. Codified Laws §43-32-24

    3. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

      In South Dakota, if you do not pay rent within 3 days after it is due, the landlord can file an eviction case in court. This law does not require the landlord to give you a notice to pay or leave first.

      S.D. Codified Laws §21-16-1(4)

    4. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

      Data not available

    5. Are there limits on late fees?

      Data not available

    A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

    Help and advice

    Who can help you in South Dakota?

    You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counselor gives independent advice on buying, renting, late payments and credit, often free or at low cost.

    13 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve South Dakota; 8 say they serve you in Spanish. Choose your county to see the closest ones with their phone number.

    35 public housing authorities run Section 8 vouchers and public housing in South Dakota.

    See all 13 agencies See the housing agencies

    Who runs the help in South Dakota

    • South Dakota Housing (SD Housing)

      South Dakota Housing (SD Housing) says its first-time homebuyer program offers low-interest mortgage loans through participating lenders across the state; SD Housing does not lend money directly. It is for buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years, with income within SD Housing's limits and a purchase price of $410,000 or less. Some options include down payment and closing cost assistance as a separate 0% interest second loan with no monthly payments, generally repaid only if you sell, refinance or pay off your primary mortgage.

      The agency's official page · Verified October 24, 2026

    Where to file a complaint in South Dakota

    • Where to file a housing discrimination complaint

      State law (the South Dakota Human Relations Act of 1972) prohibits housing discrimination. If you believe you were discriminated against in housing, you can call the Division of Human Rights to find out whether it can take your case; the Division helps draft the complaint. The complaint must be filed within 180 days after the harm and must involve property located in South Dakota.

      South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Human Rights (Housing brochure, rev. 11/2024) · Verified October 24, 2026

    • Insurance complaints to the Division of Insurance

      You can file a complaint with the South Dakota Division of Insurance against an insurance company, producer (agent), adjuster or other entity licensed or registered with the Division. The Division asks you to contact the entity involved first, since many complaints are resolved that way. If it is not resolved, you can file the complaint online or call the Division at 605.773.3563.

      South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Insurance · Verified October 24, 2026

    Guides

    Guides for you in South Dakota

    We picked them with the numbers of South Dakota. Each one says why it can help you.

    Frequently asked questions about housing in South Dakota

    What is the FHA limit in South Dakota in 2026?

    In South Dakota, the FHA limit for a one-unit home runs from $541,287 to $541,650. The highest is in Lawrence County.

    How much does a typical home cost in South Dakota?

    The typical home value in South Dakota is $257,400 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). The highest is in Custer County ($372,100) and the lowest in Oglala Lakota County ($52,900).

    How much does it cost to rent in South Dakota?

    The typical rent in South Dakota is $946 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in South Dakota?

    At HUD's average fair market rent in South Dakota ($1,187, Fiscal year 2027), about $22.83 an hour working full time, so rent stays under 30% of income.

    How much is property tax in South Dakota?

    The typical property tax in South Dakota is $2,724 a year, about 1.06% of home value (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    Where can I find free help in Spanish to buy a home in South Dakota?

    There are 13 HUD-approved counseling agencies in South Dakota; 8 say they serve you in Spanish. Each county page lists the closest ones with their phone number.

    Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); Regional price parities (2024 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).