Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Box Elder, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.4% of gross income.
Box Elder rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Box Elder, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Box Elder
View full rent data for Box Elder, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Box Elder, SD?
Median rent in Box Elder is $1,539 a month. A typical carpenter in South Dakota earns about $53,627 a year, which makes that rent 34.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Box Elder?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in South Dakota (~$53,627/yr) supports up to $1,341 a month in rent. Box Elder's current median rent is $1,539/mo, which is $198/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Box Elder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in South Dakota works roughly 59.7 hours a month to cover Box Elder's median rent of $1,539.
Where is rent cheaper than Box Elder for a carpenter?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Harrisburg ($1,494/mo), Rapid City ($1,491/mo), Harrisburg ($1,453/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.