Is Aberdeen expensive to live in?

Aberdeen is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $576 per month ranks #158 of 158 and is 45% lower than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Aberdeen?

Average rent in Aberdeen, SD runs a studio around $529, a one-bedroom around $576, a two-bedroom around $824, a three-bedroom around $924 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $576 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,715.

How much does it cost to live in Aberdeen per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Aberdeen is about $740 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Aberdeen, SD

Population 28,297 · South Dakota

~$740/mo est.1BR $576Home $205,500

Compare with:

The cost of living in Aberdeen, SD is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $576 a month — 45% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $529 and two-bedrooms $824.

Median household income here is $63,715, 6% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $740 before food and transport. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $576

Studio

$529

1 Bedroom

$576

2 Bedroom

$824

3 Bedroom

$924

Buying a Home$205,500

Median Home Value

$205,500

Income$63,715

Median Household Income

$63,715

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.4¢/kWh

Electricity

15.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$15.26/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (SD)4.2% sales

State Sales Tax

4.20%

State Income Tax (top rate)

None

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime275 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

275

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,421.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Aberdeen Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.8 yrs

Median Age

35.8 yrs

Homeownership

58.4%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

Avg Commute

11.1 min

Climate43.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

Aberdeen cost of living — FAQ

Is Aberdeen expensive to live in?: Aberdeen is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $576 per month ranks #158 of 158 and is 45% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Aberdeen?: Average rent in Aberdeen, SD runs a studio around $529, a one-bedroom around $576, a two-bedroom around $824, a three-bedroom around $924 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $576 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,715.
How much does it cost to live in Aberdeen per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Aberdeen is about $740 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Aberdeen with nearby cities

Aberdeen vs Fargo Aberdeen vs Bismarck Aberdeen vs Sioux Falls Aberdeen vs Grand Forks Aberdeen vs Rapid City Aberdeen vs Minneapolis

Nearby cities

Fargo, ND 127 mi Bismarck, ND 144 mi Sioux Falls, SD 158 mi Grand Forks, ND 183 mi Rapid City, SD 252 mi Minneapolis, MN 256 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.