Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 76,836 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.0 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 2.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 78.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $65,712 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 13.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $363,258 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 405 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1873 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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