Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Custer, South Dakota

Mt Rushmore Road
Photo by Jared Winkler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Custer costs

A small-place housing figure needs snow, wildfire, and regional-care costs

The ACS profile reports a $235,600 median owner value, $78,369 median household income, and 14.2% poverty, with substantial margins of error. It is not a current rent series or a complete retiree budget.

Add taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, snow, wildfire coverage, repairs, transport, prescriptions, local care, Rapid City trips, and the cost of a home near daily services.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,842 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$798
Utilities (in rent)
$198
Food
$472/mo
Transportation
$1,077/mo
Healthcare
$495

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,010

Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,242

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$798

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$230/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Moderate

Fair

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
19.8%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
23.3%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
44.7%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$58,375

Could Custer fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,842 per month
Two people
$4,242 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$798
Food
$472
Transportation
$1,077
Healthcare
$495

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Custer in everyday life

Could Custer work for you?

What may work well

  • The ACS profile provides a city-level housing and income reference with clear small-place limits.
  • A local hospital, library, state park, and scheduled transit provide identifiable resources.

What to think about

  • Small-place margins of error are substantial.
  • Snow, wildfire, regional referrals, distance, and transport can add cost.

Price a Custer household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, wildfire, snow, parking, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price the local hospital, primary care, pharmacy, groceries, transit, home help, and Rapid City specialists.

  3. Reserve for winter

    Keep room for heating, snow, ice, power, wildfire, roads, and a ride after severe weather.

Questions retirees ask

Is $235,600 the current price of every Custer home?

No. It is an ACS median owner value with a wide small-place margin of error. Compare current properties and add taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, snow, and care.

Why do Custer homes have different budgets?

Elevation, heating, snow, wildfire, insurance, access, repairs, service distance, transit, and regional care vary by address.

Custer affordability depends on the actual home, its winter and wildfire costs, the care route, transport, and the uncertainty of small-place survey figures.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.