Can A Chef Afford Rent in Brandon, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.6% of gross income.
Brandon rent: May 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 Brandon, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brandon
View full rent data for Brandon, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Brandon, SD?
Median rent in Brandon is $1,202 a month. A typical chef in South Dakota earns about $56,452 a year, which makes that rent 25.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Brandon?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in South Dakota (~$56,452/yr) supports up to $1,411 a month in rent. Brandon's current median rent is $1,202/mo, which leaves a $209/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Brandon?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a chef in South Dakota works roughly 44.3 hours a month to cover Brandon's median rent of $1,202.
Where is rent cheaper than Brandon for a chef?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Brookings ($1,165/mo), Brookings ($1,100/mo), Aberdeen ($1,049/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.