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Best Cities for Rental Property in South Dakota

7 South Dakota cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across South Dakota markets is 2.2%, with median home prices averaging $300K and rents averaging $1,106/mo. Brookings leads with a 3.3% cap rate at a $310K median price. Property taxes average 1.20% across South Dakota markets.

2.2%
Avg Cap Rate
$300K
Avg Price
$1,106/mo
Avg Rent
7
Cities Tracked

South Dakota Rental Market Analysis

South Dakota offers 7 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 2.2% is near the 3.81% national average. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: South Dakota home prices average $300K, which is 10% below the national average of $333K. Rents average $1,106/mo. The most affordable entry point is Aberdeen at $230K, while Brookings offers the highest cap rate at 3.3%.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 1.20% across South Dakota, above the 1.08% national average — investors should model tax expense carefully. Rapid City has the lowest rate at 1.18%.Vacancy averages 4.9%, tighter than the national average — favorable for landlords.

Growth outlook: Population growth across South Dakota averages 1.40% per year, led by Sioux Falls at 1.8%. Home values are appreciating at 2.7% annually on average. Strong population growth is driving housing demand and supporting both rent increases and price appreciation across the state.

Bottom line: South Dakota is primarily an appreciation market. Cash flow investing requires below-median purchases or value-add strategies. Consider whether the growth and appreciation potential justifies tighter margins.

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How South Dakota Compares to National Averages

Metric
South Dakota
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
2.2%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$300K
$333K
Avg Rent
$1,106/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
1.20%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
4.9%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.40%/yr
0.92%/yr

South Dakota Cities by Cap Rate Tier

3% – 4% (1)Below 3% (6)

All 7 South Dakota Cities Ranked

1
Brookings, SD3.3% cap rate
$310K median$1,450/mo rent1.2% tax1.4% growth
2
Aberdeen, SD2.8% cap rate
$230K median$960/mo rent1.2% tax1.4% growth
3
Sioux Falls, SD2.4% cap rate
$335K median$1,290/mo rent1.22% tax1.8% growth
4
Mitchell, SD2.3% cap rate
$250K median$940/mo rent1.2% tax1.4% growth
5
Rapid City, SD2.2% cap rate
$365K median$1,330/mo rent1.18% tax1% growth
6
Vermillion, SD1.9% cap rate
$280K median$950/mo rent1.2% tax1.4% growth
7
Watertown, SD0.8% cap rate
$330K median$820/mo rent1.2% tax1.4% growth

Other Midwest States

Illinois (17 cities · 4.4% avg)Indiana (25 cities · 4.0% avg)Michigan (22 cities · 3.9% avg)Kansas (14 cities · 3.8% avg)Ohio (27 cities · 3.7% avg)Missouri (17 cities · 3.3% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Dakota a good state for rental property investing?
South Dakota has an average cap rate of 2.2% across 7 cities. The best-performing city is Brookings at 3.3%. Average home prices of $300K offer affordable entry points. Property taxes at 1.20% are moderate.
What is the best city to buy rental property in South Dakota?
Brookings leads South Dakota with a 3.3% cap rate, $310K median price, and $1,450/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Sioux Falls (1.8% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in South Dakota?
Property taxes in South Dakota average 1.20%, which is above the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Rapid City at 1.18%. On an average-priced home of $300K, annual taxes are approximately $3,600.
How many South Dakota cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 7 South Dakota cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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