Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bend
65.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 76,836 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 39.0 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 2.3% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.6% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.3% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 5.6% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $65,712 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $40,447 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 13.3% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 36.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 405 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 34.0% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.8% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.5% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.9% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 18.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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