salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,360 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Dakota cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Dakota. It is number 19 of 19 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Box Elder?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Box Elder
| Size | Box Elder | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,004 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,310 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,386 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,881 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,165 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Box Elder overall?
Everyday prices in South Dakota overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Box Elder, so the South Dakota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Box Elder
Life in Box Elder
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Box Elder?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $412 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $302,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $30,210 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Box Elder, SD?
Renting in Box Elder costs a median of about $1,684 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Dakota median is $1,271.
How much do I need to make to live in Box Elder?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,360 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Box Elder cheap or expensive?
Box Elder is rated OK: rent takes 25.7% of the typical household income of $78,739. It ranks 19th cheapest of 19 South Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Box Elder?
The median homeowner in Box Elder pays $4,019 a year in property taxes, about 1.33% of the median home value.
Is Box Elder more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in South Dakota are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Box Elder?
The median home value in Box Elder is $302,100, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
12,902 people live in Box Elder. Numbers are typical (middle) values.