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MarketsSouth DakotaAberdeenCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Aberdeen, SD

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Aberdeen, SD

Cap Rate
2.76%
Median Price
$230K
Rent/Mo
$960
1% Rule
0.42%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Aberdeen's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x — homes cost 4.1 times the local median household income of $56,400. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Aberdeen (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,530/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,837. The median rent of $960/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Aberdeen is $56,400, with a population of 50,000 growing at 1.4% per year. Aberdeen is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions. Moderate population growth indicates a stable economic foundation.

What This Means for Investors

Aberdeen is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Aberdeen Compares

Aberdeen vs South Dakota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Aberdeen's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Aberdeen
South Dakota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.76%
2.24%
3.81%
Median Price
$230K
$300K
$333K
Median Rent
$960
$1,106
$1,524
Property Tax
1.2%
1.2%
1.08%
Vacancy
4.9%
4.9%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.4%/yr
1.4%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Aberdeen, SD
2.8%
$230K
$960
1.2%
Akron, OH
3.6%
$230K
$1,240
1.58%
Adrian, MI
3.2%
$230K
$1,120
1.46%
Findlay, OH
3.8%
$230K
$1,260
1.58%
Sandusky, OH
4.9%
$230K
$1,490
1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aberdeen affordable for renters?
Renters in Aberdeen spend approximately 20% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $56,400, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x, meaning homes cost 4.1 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Aberdeen?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $230K home is approximately $1,224/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,530/mo. The median rent of $960/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Aberdeen's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Aberdeen ($230K) are 31% below the national average. Rents ($960/mo) are 37% below average. Property taxes (1.2%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Aberdeen Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Aberdeen & Related Markets

More Aberdeen Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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