Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 76,836 | Broken Arrow + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.0 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 2.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.9% | 1.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $65,712 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $40,447 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 13.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $363,258 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 61.6% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.9% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. 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, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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