Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Rapid City
2.3%
Rapid City +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 2.3% | Rapid City + |
| White | 89.9% | 78.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 5.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $65,712 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $40,447 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $69,795 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 61.6% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 405 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1873 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 34.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.9% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 46.3°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 18.4 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 18.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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