Studio Apartment Rent in Rapid City, SD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Rapid City, South Dakota as of August 2026. That's +45% lower than the citywide median of $1,491 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 | Vermillion | $620 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $680 |
| 4 | Brookings | $760 |
| 5 | Brandon | $780 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls | $781 |
| 7 | Box Elder | $790 |
| 8 | Rapid City (this page) | $823 |
| 9 | Tea | $860 |
| 10 | 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 | Brandon | $780 |
| 7 | Brookings | $760 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | $680 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $620 |
| 10 | Mitchell | $600 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 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%) |
| 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 August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Rapid City, South Dakota is $823 per month. This is +45% below the citywide median of $1,491.
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 11th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rapid City rank for studio rent in South Dakota?
Among the 10 cities in South Dakota with studio data, Rapid City ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Rapid City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Box Elder ($790), Gillette ($815).