Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 76,836 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 78.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,712 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,447 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 405 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.0% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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