Salary Needed to Live in Pierre as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $48,678/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $48,678/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD. The bare-minimum salary is $45,389/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,957.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,799/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,057/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$48,678
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$45,389
$3,782/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,799
23% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Pierre
| Expense | Pierre | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $737 | $1,448 | -49% |
| Groceries | $232 | $189 | +23% |
| Utilities | $159 | $183 | -13% |
| Transportation | $205 | $211 | -3% |
| Car Insurance | $164 | $211 | -22% |
| Health Insurance | $609 | $630 | -3% |
| Medicare Supplement | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Prescription Drugs | $135 | $150 | -10% |
| Internet + Phone | $108 | $120 | -10% |
| Recreation & Social | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Home Maintenance | $90 | $100 | -10% |
| Total Monthly | $2,799 | $3,642 | -23% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,799
Target savings (5%):$158/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,957
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$48,678
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$737
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus SD state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$158/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
90/100
Pierre is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $737/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $693/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $45,389/year as the survival floor and $48,678/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Pierre
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Pierre?
A retiree needs approximately $48,678/year ($4,057/month gross) to live comfortably in Pierre with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Pierre?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Pierre costs approximately $737/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Pierre affordable for a retiree?
Yes, Pierre is 23% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.