Bridgeport CT 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)
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
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
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 76,836 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.0 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 2.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 5.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,795 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $363,258 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 405 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1873 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.9% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while bridgeport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $361,669. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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