Income needed to buy a home
Lake County, SD
$106,935
a year in household income to buy the typical Lake County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$316,621
Down payment (10%)$31,662
Loan$284,959
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,973/mo
Property tax (0.93% a year)$245/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$158/mo
Mortgage insurance$119/mo
Total monthly cost$2,495/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
A stretch
The typical household here earns $76,808 a year, 72% of what it takes.
In South Dakota
Lake County ranks #38 of 50 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in South Dakota
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | $141,213 | $46,473 |
| Walworth County | $137,130 | $47,240 |
| Bon Homme County | $163,660 | $56,274 |
| Corson County | $167,697 | $58,117 |
| Spink County | $174,248 | $59,180 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.