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City Report · SD

Mitchell

Pop. 15,649·9th most expensive in South Dakota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$941/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-3.2%
vs US Median
-$1,021
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mitchell · $941
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $941/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$38,000/yr
Local median income
$58,620/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Mitchell's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$600
1 BR
$730
2 BR
$870
3 BR
$1,220
4 BR+
$1,460
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$870/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $941 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$11,292/yr
At $941/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -3.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mitchell, SD is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,649
Median income
$58,620
Median age
39.6
Renters
43.4%
Age distribution
22.2%
21.8%
21.8%
12.2%
22.1%
Under 1822.2%
18–3421.8%
35–5421.8%
55–6412.2%
65+22.1%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
89.6%
White89.6%
Black0.5%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian0.6%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
32.6%
35.7%
23.6%
No HS diploma8%
HS diploma32.6%
Some college35.7%
Bachelor's+23.6%
Housing tenure
56.6%
43.4%
Owner56.6%
Renter43.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Mitchell, SD has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,164 → $58,620
up 21.7%
Population
15,677 → 15,649
down 0.2%
Renter share
40.7% → 43.4%
+2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
23.8% → 23.6%
-0.2 pts
Median age
38.5 → 39.6
+1.1 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $58,620 today, compared with $48,164 five years earlier. Renters now make up 43.4% of households, compared with 40.7% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Mitchell

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

Can you afford rent in Mitchell on your salary?

At $941/mo, how Mitchell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mitchell rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mitchell

About renting in Mitchell, SD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Mitchell is $941/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $870/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,220/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($58,620/yr), Mitchell ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mitchell an affordable city for renters?

Mitchell is considered very affordable for renters. At $941/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($58,620/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mitchell falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Mitchell?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $38,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $941/mo in Mitchell. The local median household income is $58,620/yr, meaning the typical Mitchell household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mitchell?

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

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

Mitchell is one of the more affordable cities in South Dakota for rent, ranking #9 out of 10 tracked cities at $941/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mitchell?

Vermillion is nearby and more affordable at $813/mo, which is $128 less than Mitchell.

What percentage of Mitchell residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.4% of Mitchell households are renters, while 56.6% are owner-occupied. Mitchell leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mitchell rent compare to the national average?

Mitchell's median rent of $941/mo is $1,021 (52%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Dakota, it ranks #9 out of 10 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $941/mo, rent takes ~19% of Mitchell's median household income ($58,620/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mitchell 19%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mitchell, SD

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