Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Brandon, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.1% of gross income.
Brandon rent: May 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 Brandon, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brandon
View full rent data for Brandon, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Brandon, SD?
Median rent in Brandon is $1,202 a month. A typical firefighter in South Dakota earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 26.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Brandon?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Dakota (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Brandon's current median rent is $1,202/mo, which leaves a $180/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Brandon?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Dakota works roughly 45.2 hours a month to cover Brandon's median rent of $1,202.
Where is rent cheaper than Brandon for a firefighter?
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 firefighter salary.