A+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Brandon South Dakota National
Cost of living10189100
Goods & Services9194100
Groceries9797100
Health care10398100
Housing12277100
Transportation9197100
Utilities8488100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Brandon, SD

Knowing the cost of living in Brandon allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Brandon stands at 101, marking it 1% higher than the national average.

In Brandon, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Brandon will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

When it comes to the cost of living in Brandon, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 21.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Brandon Affordable?

Is Brandon affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Brandon, for instance, where the median home price falls 32.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 4.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Brandon flaunting a median household income of $93,536, 69.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brandon?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Brandon, the groceries index is 3.2% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Brandon, healthcare costs are 3.1% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Brandon, is 21.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Brandon, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brandon is 13% higher than the South Dakota average
  • The cost of living in Brandon is 1% higher than the national average
  • Brandon housing is 22% higher than the national average
  • South Dakota general sales tax is 12% lower than the national average
  • South Dakota state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Brandon

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Compare Brandon, SD Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$106,587$8,882$2,487$3,198
      Renters$38,333$3,194$894$1,150
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Brandon, SD, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Brandon homeowners, is $106,587. This would allow for a maximum of $2,487 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $38,333 which would result in a maximum of $894 to be spent on rental costs.

      South Dakota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Dakota 4.5% 6%

      South Dakota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Dakota 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.32$24.260.2%
      Beauty Salon $35.22$45.5622.7%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.7%
      Movie $9.36$12.1322.9%
      Bowling $16.40$18.008.9%

      Groceries

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $10.64$12.0912.0%
      Beer $9.33$10.4110.4%

      Health Care

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.10$125.687.5%
      Doctor $177.33$135.7830.6%
      Dentist $108.21$113.294.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.48$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $357.08$468.6023.8%

      Housing

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $245,500.00$184,700.0032.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,133.89$2,346.699.1%
      Apartment Rent $905.00$949.004.6%

      Transportation

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.28$3.465.3%
      Tire Balancing $49.42$59.9217.5%

      Utilities

      Item Brandon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $141.67$193.9927.0%
      Phone $194.04$192.250.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sherman, SD407623.6%
      Hills, MN8198514.5%
      Valley Springs, SD8858713.4%
      Larchwood, IA9738712.6%
      Beaver Creek, MN3418812.0%
      Brandon, SD10,0301010.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Plymouth, IN10,0298217.9%
      Westgate, FL10,0271021.6%
      The Pinery, CO10,03315555.4%
      Elkhorn, WI10,034955.1%
      Berlin, NH10,025919.0%
      Brandon, SD10,0301010.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.