Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 2.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.3% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 5.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $363,258 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.6% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 405 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1873 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.5% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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