Salary Needed to Live in Pierre as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $51,619/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $51,619/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD. The bare-minimum salary is $44,643/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,107.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,753/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,302/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$51,619
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$44,643
$3,720/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,753
22% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Pierre
| Expense | Pierre | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $688 | $1,351 | -49% |
| Groceries | $255 | $207 | +23% |
| Utilities | $147 | $169 | -13% |
| Transportation | $308 | $316 | -3% |
| Car Insurance | $164 | $211 | -22% |
| Health Insurance | $609 | $630 | -3% |
| Internet | $59 | $65 | -9% |
| Phone | $77 | $85 | -9% |
| Dining & Social | $270 | $300 | -10% |
| Entertainment | $108 | $120 | -10% |
| Personal Care | $68 | $75 | -9% |
| Total Monthly | $2,753 | $3,529 | -22% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,753
Target savings (10%):$354/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,107
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$51,619
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$688
Studio/1BR rent is 25% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus SD state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$354/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 studio/1br housing near $688/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $582/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $44,643/year as the survival floor and $51,619/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Pierre
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Pierre?
A single person needs approximately $51,619/year ($4,302/month gross) to live comfortably in Pierre with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Pierre?
A studio/1br in Pierre costs approximately $688/month, which is the largest single expense at 25% of the total budget.
Is Pierre affordable for a single person?
Yes, Pierre is 22% more affordable than the national average for a single person.