Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 76,836 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 2.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 1.3% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.6% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $65,712 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $40,447 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 13.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 36.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 61.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 405 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 34.0% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.6% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.5% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.9% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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