Bismarck ND 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)
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
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
Bismarck
74,146
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Bismarck +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.0 | Bismarck + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 2.3% | Bismarck + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.3% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 1.6% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $65,712 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $40,447 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,795 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 36.4% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 61.6% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 405 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.0% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 9.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.5% | Bismarck + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 46.3°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 18.8 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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