Billings MT 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)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
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
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Billings +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Rapid City
2.3%
Rapid City +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 76,836 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.0 | Billings + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 2.3% | Rapid City + |
| White | 86.3% | 78.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.6% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $65,712 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $40,447 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.3% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 36.4% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 61.6% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Billings +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 34.0% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.5% | Billings + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.9% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 18.4 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 18.8 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, 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 433 in Billings. 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, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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