Chesapeake VA 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)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 76,836 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.0 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 2.3% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $65,712 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $40,447 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 13.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 61.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 405 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1873 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | 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.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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