Cape Coral FL 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)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 76,836 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 2.3% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 4.5% | 1.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 5.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $65,712 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 13.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $363,258 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 61.6% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.9% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | 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.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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