Studio Apartment Rent in Rapid City, SD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Rapid City, South Dakota as of July 2026. That's +43% lower than the citywide median of $1,443 and +36% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Rapid City
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rapid City
Compare Rapid City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in South Dakota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell | $600 |
| 2 | Aberdeen | $680 |
| 3 | Brookings | $760 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls | $781 |
| 5 | Box Elder | $790 |
| 6 | Rapid City (this page) | $823 |
| 7 | Tea | $860 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $890 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in South Dakota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $890 |
| 2 | Tea | $860 |
| 3 | Rapid City (this page) | $823 |
| 4 | Box Elder | $790 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls | $781 |
| 6 | Brookings | $760 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $680 |
| 8 | Mitchell | $600 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Rapid City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Rapid City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder, SD | 20.5 mi | $790 | $-33 (-4%) |
| Torrington, WY | 140.3 mi | $710 | $-113 (-14%) |
| Gillette, WY | 168.2 mi | $815 | $-8 (-1%) |
Studio rent in Rapid City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Rapid City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Rapid City, South Dakota is $823 per month. This is +43% below the citywide median of $1,443.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Rapid City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $32,920 ($2,743/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.83/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rapid City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Rapid City's studio median of $823 is +36% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rapid City rank for studio rent in South Dakota?
Among the 8 cities in South Dakota with studio data, Rapid City ranks #6 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Rapid City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Box Elder ($790), Torrington ($710), Gillette ($815).