What is the cost of living in Brandon, SD?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Brandon has an overall cost of living index of 102, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Dakota, Brandon has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than South Dakota's index of 91.
The standard of living in Brandon ranks as #17 most affordable out of the 19 places we measured in South Dakota. By definition, that implies Brandon ranks as the #2 most expensive place in the Mount Rushmore State.
For more reading on life in Brandon, check out:
Brandon Cost Of Living Vs. South Dakota
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Brandon. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Brandon is 100.
The Groceries index in Brandon is 94.
The Health index in Brandon is 124.
The Housing index in Brandon is 95.
The Transportation index in Brandon is 106.
The Utilities index in Brandon is 95.
| Living Expense | Brandon | South Dakota | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 102 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 124 | 77 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 93 | 100 |
Brandon Cost Of Living Compared To South Dakota Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around South Dakota, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In South Dakota
- Most Affordable Cities In South Dakota
- Average Rent In South Dakota
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Brandon, SD Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in South Dakota, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Brandon is $387,889.
The Median Rent in Brandon is $976.
The Median Income in Brandon is $110,806.
The Home Value To Income in Brandon is 3.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Brandon is 0.11x.
| Statistic | Brandon | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $387,889 | $317,148 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $976 | $946 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $110,806 | $75,081 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.5x | 4.2x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.11x | 0.15x | 0.21x |
Brandon, SD Costs By Category
Detailed Brandon Services costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Brandon | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.29 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $9.36 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $16.4 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.32 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $35.22 | $45.56 |
Detailed Brandon Groceries costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Brandon | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.89 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.41 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.75 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.63 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.64 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.33 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.8 | $3.7 |
Detailed Brandon Health costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Brandon | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $135.1 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $177.33 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $108.21 | $113.29 |
Detailed Brandon Transportation costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Brandon | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.28 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $49.42 | $59.92 |
Detailed Brandon Utilities costs vs. South Dakota
| Item | Brandon | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $141.67 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $194.04 | $192.25 |
Brandon SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Brandon
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Brandon. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost of living index of 99, 1.0x Brandon.
Harrisburg, SD has a cost of living index of 100, 1.0x Brandon.
Tea, SD has a cost of living index of 102, 1.0x Brandon.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Brandon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 201,469 | 99 | 1.0x |
| Harrisburg, SD | 8,519 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Tea, SD | 6,786 | 102 | 1.0x |
