Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 76,836 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 39.0 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 2.3% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.3% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 5.6% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $65,712 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 13.3% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $363,258 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.9% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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