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City Report · SD

Box Elder

Pop. 12,902·1st most expensive in South Dakota·Box Elder rents are up 6.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,557/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.8%
Month-over-Month
+7.5%
vs US Median
-$408
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Box Elder · $1,557
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,557/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$62,000/yr
Local median income
$73,008/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Box Elder's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,550
4 BR+
$1,860
Research median
$1,160/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,684/yr
At $1,557/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +7.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Box Elder, SD is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,902
Median income
$73,008
Median age
28.8
Renters
51.8%
Age distribution
26.9%
36.2%
19.7%
Under 1826.9%
18–3436.2%
35–5419.7%
55–649.7%
65+7.5%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
73.5%
13.6%
White73.5%
Black3.6%
Hispanic8.2%
Asian1.1%
Other13.6%
Education (25+)
29.8%
34.6%
28%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma29.8%
Some college34.6%
Bachelor's+28%
Housing tenure
48.2%
51.8%
Owner48.2%
Renter51.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Box Elder, SD has changed in 5 years

Income
$62,972 → $73,008
up 15.9%
Population
11,527 → 12,902
up 11.9%
Renter share
47.5% → 51.8%
+4.3 pts
Bachelor's+
33.1% → 28%
-5.1 pts

Household income in the area moved from $62,972 to $73,008 across the same window, up 15.9% versus 2021. The population has grown by 11.9% since 2021, moving from about 11,527 residents to roughly 12,902. Renters now make up 51.8% of households, compared with 47.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 28% of adults here, versus 33.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Box Elder

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View Box Elder rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Box Elder on your salary?

At $1,557/mo, how Box Elder rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Box Elder rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Box Elder. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Box Elder

About renting in Box Elder, SD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Box Elder is $1,557/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,550/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($73,008/yr), Box Elder ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Box Elder an affordable city for renters?

Box Elder is considered affordable for renters. At $1,557/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($73,008/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Box Elder falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Box Elder?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $62,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,557/mo in Box Elder. The local median household income is $73,008/yr, meaning the typical Box Elder household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Box Elder?

Rent in Box Elder has increased 6.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Box Elder rent compare to other cities in South Dakota?

Box Elder is one of the pricier cities in South Dakota for rent, ranking #1 out of 8 tracked cities at $1,557/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Box Elder?

Rapid City is nearby and more affordable at $1,443/mo, which is $114 less than Box Elder.

What percentage of Box Elder residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.8% of Box Elder households are renters, while 48.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Box Elder has a strong rental market.

How does Box Elder rent compare to the national average?

Box Elder's median rent of $1,557/mo is $408 (21%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Dakota, it ranks #1 out of 8 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,557/mo, rent takes ~26% of Box Elder's median household income ($73,008/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Box Elder 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Box Elder affordability calculator →
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Public schools near Box Elder, SD

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