Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Austin
59.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 76,836 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 2.3% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.6% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $65,712 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $40,447 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 13.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 36.4% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.0% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.5% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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