Can I Afford to Live in Rapid City vs Phoenix on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Rapid City, SD
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Phoenix, AZ
$6,113/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (25% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Rapid City
SD
Phoenix
AZ
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$6,113
1BR rent
$1,200Best ✓
$1,500
Groceries (est.)
$365Best ✓
$369
Transport (est.)
$40Best ✓
$64
Utilities
$148Best ✓
$210
Internet
$65
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,503/month
$3,910/month
Rapid City (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Phoenix (AZ rate: 2.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Rapid City?

At $100K/year in Rapid City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Phoenix?

At $100K/year in Phoenix, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,113. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 25% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Rapid City leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,503/month vs $3,910/month in Phoenix.

Can I afford to live alone in Rapid City on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Rapid City, rent takes 19% of your take-home, leaving $4,503/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Rapid City vs Phoenix

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only