Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 76,836 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 2.3% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $65,712 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $40,447 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 13.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 36.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 61.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 405 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1873 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 34.0% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.5% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.9% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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