Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Box Elder, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.8% of gross income.
Box Elder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Box Elder, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Box Elder
View full rent data for Box Elder, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Box Elder, SD?
Median rent in Box Elder is $1,557 a month. A typical firefighter in South Dakota earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 33.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Box Elder?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Dakota (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Box Elder's current median rent is $1,557/mo, which is $175/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Box Elder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Dakota works roughly 58.6 hours a month to cover Box Elder's median rent of $1,557.
Where is rent cheaper than Box Elder for a firefighter?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Harrisburg ($1,494/mo), Harrisburg ($1,453/mo), Harrisburg ($1,452/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.