Albany GA vs Rapid City SD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Rapid City
2.3%
Rapid City +
White
Albany
18.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.0 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 2.3% | Rapid City + |
| White | 18.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 76.3% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $363,258 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 405 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1873 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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