Can A Chef Afford Rent in Box Elder, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.8% of gross income.
Box Elder rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 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 chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Box Elder
View full rent data for Box Elder, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Box Elder, SD?
Median rent in Box Elder is $1,450 a month. A typical chef in South Dakota earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 30.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Box Elder?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in South Dakota (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Box Elder's current median rent is $1,450/mo, which is $39/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Box Elder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in South Dakota works roughly 53.4 hours a month to cover Box Elder's median rent of $1,450.
Where is rent cheaper than Box Elder for a chef?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Rapid City ($1,445/mo), Rapid City ($1,441/mo), Rapid City ($1,428/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.