Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 76,836 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.0 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 2.3% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 5.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $65,712 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.9% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 18.4 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, 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 503 in Bakersfield. 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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