Cost of Living in
Huron, SD

The Real Cost of Living in Huron (2026)

Forget the Cost of Living Index (COL) number you saw online. An index of 88.1 suggests you can live like a king on a peasant's wage, but that static number doesn't account for the specific tax structures of South Dakota or the brutal reality of a housing market that has zero inventory. The median household income sits at $51,556, which implies a single earner is pulling in roughly $28,355. That is the baseline for "survival" in Huron, not the "comfort" the realtors are selling you. To actually live here without drowning in debt, you need to understand the bleed—the recurring costs that nickel and dime you until you check your bank account and wonder where the money went. This isn't about averages; it’s about the cash flow required to keep the lights on and the fridge full in a town where the math looks good on paper but feels tight in your pocket.

The Big Items

The primary driver of your financial future in Huron is housing, specifically the availability of it. You might look at the median home price of $158,650 and think you’ve struck gold compared to the national median, but you are missing the context: inventory is nonexistent. The "rent vs. buy" debate here is less about financial optimization and more about what you can actually secure. Rental data for Huron is often opaque or nonexistent in national datasets, but local market reality dictates that 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units are scarce. If you find a rental, you aren't getting a deal; you are paying a premium for scarcity. The landlord knows you have three other applicants. This lack of rental leverage forces many into the buying market earlier than they’d like. However, buying at $158,650 isn't the slam dunk it appears to be when you factor in the interest rate environment. You are likely facing a mortgage payment that, with taxes and insurance, pushes well over $1,400 a month for a starter home. The "trap" here is buying simply because there is nowhere else to go, only to find yourself house-poor with an asset that is illiquid because the buyer pool is shallow.

South Dakota taxes are the main selling point for the state, but don't let the "no income tax" slogan fool you into thinking you're getting a free ride. The state makes its money elsewhere, specifically on your property and your consumption. South Dakota has one of the highest property tax rates in the nation relative to home values. While the state claims a median effective rate, in practice, you are looking at a bite of roughly 1.25% to 1.5% of your assessed value annually. On that $158,650 home, that is roughly $1,983 to $2,380 per year in property taxes alone, baked into your monthly escrow. There is no state income tax to file, which is a plus, but the trade-off is a sales tax rate that hovers around 6.0% (state + local). If you earn $40,000, you might save $1,500 in state income tax compared to a high-tax state, but you will hemorrhage that savings quickly through consumption taxes and property taxes if you aren't disciplined.

Groceries and gas in Huron show local variances that defy the national baseline. You will experience significant sticker shock at the pump if you are coming from a major refining hub, as South Dakota is a distribution endpoint. Gas prices generally track $0.20 to $0.40 higher than the US average. For groceries, the "local variance" is the key phrase. You have the standard big-box options (Walmart/Runnings), but if you want specialty items or organic produce, you pay a heavy premium because of shipping costs. A standard grocery run for a single person might average $100 a week, but that assumes you are buying standard staples (ground beef, pasta, milk). If you try to maintain a diet typical of coastal urban centers (avocados, fresh fish, imported cheeses), your bill will inflate by 30-40% due to the logistics of getting non-regional food into the middle of the state. The "bang for your buck" is decent on meat and dairy, but terrible on everything else.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs

Huron is generally low on "fees" compared to major metros, but the hidden costs come from insurance and the specific geography of South Dakota. First, the lack of toll roads is a relief, but do not assume your auto insurance will be dirt cheap. While base rates are lower, if you park on the street in downtown Huron, you risk door dings and break-ins that can spike your comprehensive deductible. The real "gotcha" for homeowners, specifically in the Huron area, is flood insurance. Even if you aren't in a "high risk" zone, the proximity to the James River means lenders or insurance agents may strongly suggest or require flood coverage. This is an extra $600 to $1,200 a year that the COL index never accounts for.

HOA fees are less pervasive here than in the Sunbelt, but if you buy into a newer development or a townhome complex, expect to pay $150 to $300 monthly. This covers snow removal and landscaping, which is a necessity given the South Dakota winter, but it still eats into the "affordable" mortgage calculation. Furthermore, there is the cost of "winterization." While not a monthly fee, the sudden need for new tires, a block heater, or snow removal equipment (a good snow blower runs $800+) is a seasonal cost shock that hits every November. You are also nickel-and-dimed by the lack of competition in utilities; while electric rates are reasonable at 12.86 cents/kWh, you have very few choices for internet service providers, allowing them to hike rates without fear of losing customers.

Lifestyle Inflation

The cost of entertainment in Huron is deceptive. It feels cheap until you realize the limited options force you to spend money to leave town or spend money on the few things available. A night out is the perfect example. Dinner for two at a mid-range spot like the Broadhead Grille or a local steakhouse will run you $60 to $80 before drinks. Add two beers at $5 each and a tip, and you are easily over $100. If you want to see a movie, the local theater will charge standard national prices, usually $12 a ticket.

Gym memberships are a mixed bag. Local gyms might offer rates around $35 to $45 a month, which is competitive. However, boutique fitness or specialized classes are scarce. If you are a coffee drinker, you aren't immune to the inflation hitting the rest of the country. A specialty latte at a local coffee shop will run you $5.50 to $6.50. The "latte factor" is real here; buying a coffee every workday is roughly $120 a month. The hidden inflation comes from travel. If you need to get to Sioux Falls (the nearest major city) for specialized medical care, shopping, or a concert, that is a 75-mile round trip. At $0.65 per mile for operating costs and gas, that trip costs you $50 every time you make it.

Salary Scenarios

To visualize the "bleed," we have broken down three income scenarios. These numbers represent the gross income required to maintain the specific lifestyle, accounting for the tax structure (mostly federal and FICA, as state income tax is zero) and the local cost of living pressures outlined above.

Frugal Analysis ($32,000 Single / $55,000 Family)

At this level, you are surviving, not thriving. For a single person earning $32,000, your monthly take-home is roughly $2,150 after federal taxes and FICA. Your housing budget is capped at $700 a month. In Huron, that likely means a small apartment or renting a room. You are buying generic groceries, driving a paid-off car, and eating out maybe once a month. You are saving almost nothing. For a family at $55,000, the math gets terrifying. Take-home is roughly $3,500. Assuming a mortgage payment of $1,200 (on a cheap house) and property taxes/insurance of $300, you have $2,000 left for food, gas, utilities, and diapers. One major car repair or medical copay ruins the month. This is the paycheck-to-paycheck zone.

Moderate Analysis ($48,000 Single / $78,000 Family)

This is the "Huron Standard." A single earner at $48,000 takes home about $3,100. You can afford a decent 1-bedroom apartment or a $160,000 house with a $1,100 monthly mortgage/escrow payment. You can afford to run the heat in the winter without panic, buy name-brand groceries, and contribute 5% to a 401(k). You have roughly $1,000 of discretionary income after all bills. The family at $78,000 (take-home ~$4,850) can manage a mortgage on a $200,000 home (payment ~$1,500), afford two reliable cars, and put two kids in daycare (which is a major expense, often $700+ per child). They are stable, but a layoff would still be dangerous.

Comfortable Analysis ($65,000 Single / $110,000 Family)

To live comfortably—meaning owning a newer home, saving aggressively, and not worrying about daily costs—you need significant income. A single person at $65,000 (take-home ~$4,000) can afford a $220,000 home, max out a Roth IRA, and drive a new vehicle. They can travel regionally and eat out weekly. The family at $110,000 (take-home ~$6,600) is in the top tier of local earners. They can afford a house in the $250,000 - $300,000 range (which buys a very nice home in Huron), pay for extracurriculars for the kids, and save for college. At this level, the low cost of living actually starts to work in your favor, allowing for a savings rate that rivals high-income earners in expensive cities, provided you don't succumb to lifestyle creep.