salaryRent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.4 minutes. Most homes (80.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,160 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Dakota cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of South Dakota. It is number 6 of 19 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Brandon?
Share of households by yearly income. 42.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Brandon
| Size | Brandon | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $944 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,103 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,202 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Brandon 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 Brandon, so the South Dakota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Brandon
Life in Brandon
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Brandon?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,257 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $336,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,660 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brandon, SD?
Renting in Brandon costs a median of about $1,079 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Dakota median is $1,271.
How much do I need to make to live in Brandon?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,160 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Brandon cheap or expensive?
Brandon is rated Cheap: rent takes 10.8% of the typical household income of $119,504. It ranks 6th cheapest of 19 South Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Brandon?
The median homeowner in Brandon pays $3,886 a year in property taxes, about 1.15% of the median home value.
Is Brandon 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 Brandon?
The median home value in Brandon is $336,600, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
10,996 people live in Brandon. Numbers are typical (middle) values.