Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 76,836 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 39.0 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 2.3% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.6% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 1.3% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 5.6% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $65,712 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $40,447 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 13.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 36.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 34.0% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.8% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.0% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.5% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 15.9% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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