salaryRent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.8 minutes. Most homes (92.3%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,720 a year. That is $27 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 16 of 19 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rapid Valley?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rapid Valley
| Size | Rapid Valley | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,224 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,393 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rapid Valley 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 Rapid Valley, so the South Dakota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rapid Valley
Life in Rapid Valley
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rapid Valley?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $380 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $255,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rapid Valley, SD?
Renting in Rapid Valley costs a median of about $1,393 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Dakota median is $1,271.
How much do I need to make to live in Rapid Valley?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,720 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rapid Valley cheap or expensive?
Rapid Valley is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.6% of the typical household income of $89,740. It ranks 16th cheapest of 19 South Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rapid Valley?
The median homeowner in Rapid Valley pays $2,612 a year in property taxes, about 1.02% of the median home value.
Is Rapid Valley 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 Rapid Valley?
The median home value in Rapid Valley is $255,500, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
6,975 people live in Rapid Valley. Numbers are typical (middle) values.