Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 2.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 5.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $65,712 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $40,447 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 13.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 61.6% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 34.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.9% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 18.4 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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