Salary Needed to Live in Pierre as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $67,316/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $67,316/year to live comfortably in Pierre, SD. The bare-minimum salary is $56,400/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,044.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,478/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,610/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$67,316
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,400
$4,700/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,478
21% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Pierre
| Expense | Pierre | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $836 | $1,641 | -49% |
| Groceries | $394 | $320 | +23% |
| Utilities | $196 | $225 | -13% |
| Transportation | $410 | $421 | -3% |
| Car Insurance | $164 | $211 | -22% |
| Health Insurance | $609 | $630 | -3% |
| Internet | $59 | $65 | -9% |
| Phone (x2) | $126 | $140 | -10% |
| Dining & Social | $405 | $450 | -10% |
| Entertainment | $162 | $180 | -10% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $117 | $130 | -10% |
| Total Monthly | $3,478 | $4,413 | -21% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,478
Target savings (12%):$566/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,044
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$67,316
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$836
1-2BR Apartment rent is 24% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus SD state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$566/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 apartment housing near $836/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $869/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $56,400/year as the survival floor and $67,316/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Pierre
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Pierre?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $67,316/year ($5,610/month gross) to live comfortably in Pierre with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Pierre?
A 1-2br apartment in Pierre costs approximately $836/month, which is the largest single expense at 24% of the total budget.
Is Pierre affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Pierre is 21% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).