Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Rapid City, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.
Rapid City 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 Rapid City, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rapid City
View full rent data for Rapid City, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
Median rent in Rapid City is $1,443 a month. A typical firefighter in South Dakota earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% 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 Rapid City?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Dakota (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Rapid City's current median rent is $1,443/mo, which is $61/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Rapid City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Dakota works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover Rapid City's median rent of $1,443.
Where is rent cheaper than Rapid City for a firefighter?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Box Elder ($1,441/mo), Brookings ($1,434/mo), Harrisburg ($1,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.