Bellingham 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 76,836 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 2.3% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 78.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $65,712 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $40,447 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 36.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 34.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.5% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, 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
Bellingham
20.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Bellingham 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, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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