Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Vermillion, SD?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17% of gross income.

Vermillion rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).

Vermillion median rent
$783/mo
Firefighter salary (South Dakota)
$55,273/yr
Rent as % of income
17%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,606, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,382/mo in rent. Vermillion's median rent of $783 leaves roughly $599/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 29.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

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.

Compare with full rent data for Vermillion

View full rent data for Vermillion, SD

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Vermillion, SD?

Median rent in Vermillion is $783 a month. A typical firefighter in South Dakota earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 17% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Vermillion?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Dakota (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Vermillion's current median rent is $783/mo, which leaves a $599/mo buffer.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Vermillion?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Dakota works roughly 29.5 hours a month to cover Vermillion's median rent of $783.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived South Dakota state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Vermillion, SD. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.