Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 76,836 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.0 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 2.3% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.3% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.6% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,795 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $363,258 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1873 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.5% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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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