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Cost of homeownership in Union County, South Dakota

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 16,700.

Median home value
$254,900
Median property tax
$2,880
Monthly owner cost
$1,668
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
15.7%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Union County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$2,880
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,445
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$2,549
  • Total$8,374/yr · $698/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$8,374
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Union County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Flood risk

Historical signal from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

VERY-HIGH RISK
Total claims
210
Avg claim
$15,639
Active policies
59
Avg premium
$645
NFIP policy

Historical claims do not capture uninsured properties. A low score does not eliminate flood risk. FEMA flood-zone maps at msc.fema.gov list parcel-level designations.

Full flood-risk breakdown →

Home price trend in South Dakota

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. South Dakota average
Home value above state average.
Property tax above state average.
Homeownership
70.0%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$82,036

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Union County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so South Dakota state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

South Dakota: 30%+ cost burdened
30.8%
236,675 households surveyed
South Dakota: severely burdened (50%+)
12.5%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 26.3%
Renter 30%+: 22.4%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Union County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for South Dakota: $102,200. Income limits define 80% AMI at $81,750 and 50% AMI at $51,100.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Union County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Union County is around $8,374 ($698 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Union County?

Median annual property tax is $2,880 on the county's median home value of $254,900 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Union County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 31% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in Union County?

very-high historical flood-risk score from FEMA NFIP: 210 claims, average claim $15,639.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.