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City Report · SD

Brandon

Pop. 10,996·6th most expensive in South Dakota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,202/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+16.1%
vs US Median
-$763
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brandon · $1,202
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
13% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,202/mo, rent takes about 13% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$48,000/yr
Local median income
$110,806/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brandon's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$780
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,470
4 BR+
$1,800
Research median
$1,070/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$14,424/yr
At $1,202/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +16.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brandon, SD is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 41.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,996
Median income
$110,806
Median age
36.7
Renters
19.9%
Age distribution
32.4%
15%
27.8%
14.8%
Under 1832.4%
18–3415%
35–5427.8%
55–649.9%
65+14.8%
Gender
52%
48%
Male52%
Female48%
Race & ethnicity
91.3%
White91.3%
Black3.4%
Hispanic5.6%
Education (25+)
20.5%
35.2%
41.9%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma20.5%
Some college35.2%
Bachelor's+41.9%
Housing tenure
80.1%
19.9%
Owner80.1%
Renter19.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brandon, SD has changed in 5 years

Income
$96,367 → $110,806
up 15.0%
Population
10,745 → 10,996
up 2.3%
Renter share
22.3% → 19.9%
-2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
39.1% → 41.9%
+2.8 pts

Median household income rose from $96,367 to $110,806 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.0% shift. The population has grown by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 10,745 residents to roughly 10,996. Renters now make up 19.9% of households, compared with 22.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 41.9% of adults here, versus 39.1% in 2021.

Community

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View Brandon rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brandon on your salary?

At $1,202/mo, how Brandon rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brandon rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brandon

About renting in Brandon, SD

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Brandon is $1,202/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,470/mo.

At 13% of local median household income ($110,806/yr), Brandon ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brandon an affordable city for renters?

Brandon is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,202/mo, rent takes approximately 13% of the local median household income ($110,806/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brandon falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brandon?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,202/mo in Brandon. The local median household income is $110,806/yr, meaning the typical Brandon household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brandon?

Rent in Brandon has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Brandon rent compare to other cities in South Dakota?

Brandon is middle-of-the-pack for South Dakota for rent, ranking #6 out of 10 tracked cities at $1,202/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brandon?

Brookings is nearby and more affordable at $1,100/mo, which is $102 less than Brandon.

What percentage of Brandon residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.9% of Brandon households are renters, while 80.1% are owner-occupied. Brandon leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brandon rent compare to the national average?

Brandon's median rent of $1,202/mo is $763 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Dakota, it ranks #6 out of 10 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
13%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,202/mo, rent takes ~13% of Brandon's median household income ($110,806/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brandon 13%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Brandon affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brandon, SD

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