Can A Software Developer Afford Rent in Brookings, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 10.9% of gross income.
Brookings rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a software developer salary
Software developer pay is among the highest of any large occupation, which makes rent affordability comfortable in nearly every US city. The interesting question for developers is not whether they can afford rent, but how much surplus is left after rent in different markets. At the national-average developer salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,453 a month in rent — well above the median rent in even the most expensive US metros. The per-city pages quantify how much paycheck remains after typical local rent at the local developer-pay estimate.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Brookings, which improves the affordability math on a software developer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookings
View full rent data for Brookings, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford rent in Brookings, SD?
Median rent in Brookings is $1,100 a month. A typical software developer in South Dakota earns about $121,537 a year, which makes that rent 10.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a software developer afford in Brookings?
Using the 30% rule, a software developer salary in South Dakota (~$121,537/yr) supports up to $3,038 a month in rent. Brookings's current median rent is $1,100/mo, which leaves a $1,938/mo buffer.
How many hours does a software developer work to cover rent in Brookings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $58 an hour, a software developer in South Dakota works roughly 18.8 hours a month to cover Brookings's median rent of $1,100.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookings for a software developer?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Aberdeen ($1,049/mo), Vermillion ($1,045/mo), Brandon ($1,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a software developer salary.