How much does it cost to rent in Brookings, SD?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Brookings, SD is $1,100. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Brookings cheaper than other South Dakota cities?

Brookings is among the more affordable cities in South Dakota, ranking #6 out of 8 cities at $1,100/mo.

When was Brookings rent data last updated?

Brookings rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · SD

Brookings

Name: Average Rent Prices in Brookings, SD
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 23,948·6th most expensive in South Dakota·Brookings rents have dropped 21.0%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,100/mo

Year-over-Year

-21.0%

Month-over-Month

-5.6%

vs US Median

-$865

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Brookings · $1,100

More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

100/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 27% below what Brookings's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,100/mo

Expected by trend

$1,504/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Brookings's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$760

1 BR

$760

2 BR

$920

3 BR

$1,290

4 BR+

$1,540

Research median

$920/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$13,200/yr

At $1,100/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 21.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-21.0% YoY, -5.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Brookings, SD is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 47.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

23,948

Median income

$63,493

Median age

24.7

Renters

52.3%

Age distribution

18.6%

44.6%

17.6%

12.1%

Under 1818.6%

18–3444.6%

35–5417.6%

55–647.1%

65+12.1%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

86.5%

White86.5%

Black1.2%

Hispanic4.2%

Asian4.6%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

21.3%

28.7%

47.5%

No HS diploma2.5%

HS diploma21.3%

Some college28.7%

Bachelor's+47.5%

Housing tenure

47.7%

52.3%

Owner47.7%

Renter52.3%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Brookings, SD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,104 → $1,100

down 0.4%

Income

$54,676 → $63,493

up 16.1%

Population

23,432 → 23,948

up 2.2%

Renter share

50.4% → 52.3%

+1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

49.8% → 47.5%

-2.3 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Brookings, SD has shifted from $1,104 to $1,100, down 0.4% since 2023. Median household income climbed from $54,676 to $63,493 between 2021 and 2024, a 16.1% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Brookings, SD adding about 516 residents over the five-year window, up 2.2% on net. The renter share has risen from 50.4% to 52.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 49.8% to 47.5% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Brookings, SD reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Brookings

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View Brookings rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brookings on your salary?

At $1,100/mo, how Brookings rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 15.9% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 22.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 19.4% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 10.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 8.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 23.9% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 26.5% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 21.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Brookings rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brookings

About renting in Brookings, SD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brookings is $1,100/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $760/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,290/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($63,493/yr), Brookings ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 21.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brookings an affordable city for renters?

Brookings is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,100/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($63,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brookings falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brookings?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,100/mo in Brookings. The local median household income is $63,493/yr, meaning the typical Brookings household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brookings?

Rent in Brookings has decreased 21.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Brookings is one of the more affordable cities in South Dakota for rent, ranking #6 out of 8 tracked cities at $1,100/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brookings?

Mitchell is nearby and more affordable at $972/mo, which is $128 less than Brookings.

What percentage of Brookings residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.3% of Brookings households are renters, while 47.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Brookings has a strong rental market.

How does Brookings rent compare to the national average?

Brookings's median rent of $1,100/mo is $865 (44%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Dakota, it ranks #6 out of 8 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

21%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,100/mo, rent takes ~21% of Brookings's median household income ($63,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brookings 21%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Brookings affordability calculator →

Nearby cities