Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 76,836 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.0 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 2.3% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.6% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.3% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.6% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $65,712 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $40,447 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 36.4% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 61.6% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1873 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.5% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.9% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 46.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 18.4 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. 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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