Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Augusta +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Augusta
32.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 76,836 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.0 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 2.3% | Augusta + |
| White | 32.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.3% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.6% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $363,258 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 405 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1873 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta 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).
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