Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 76,836 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 2.3% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 78.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 5.6% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $65,712 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $40,447 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,795 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 36.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 34.0% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.5% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA