salaryBrookings is the 4th-largest city in South Dakota that we track, with 23,948 residents. Rent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 12.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,960 a year. That is $25 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 12 of 19 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Brookings?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Brookings
| Size | Brookings | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,156 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $712 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $960 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,479 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,898 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Brookings 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 Brookings, so the South Dakota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Brookings
Life in Brookings
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Brookings?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $543 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $265,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brookings, SD?
Renting in Brookings costs a median of about $1,299 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Dakota median is $1,271.
How much do I need to make to live in Brookings?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,960 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Brookings cheap or expensive?
Brookings is rated OK: rent takes 22.8% of the typical household income of $68,477. It ranks 12th cheapest of 19 South Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Brookings?
The median homeowner in Brookings pays $3,097 a year in property taxes, about 1.17% of the median home value.
Is Brookings 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 Brookings?
The median home value in Brookings is $265,500, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
23,948 people live in Brookings. Numbers are typical (middle) values.