Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 39.0 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 2.3% | Burlington + |
| White | 85.8% | 78.3% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.6% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $65,712 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 36.4% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 405 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1873 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 34.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.5% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.9% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 46.3°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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