Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 76,836 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.0 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 2.3% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $65,712 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $40,447 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 36.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $363,258 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 405 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1873 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.5% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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