Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 76,836 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 2.3% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,795 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $363,258 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1873 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. 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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