Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 76,836 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 2.3% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 38.7% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 36.4% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $363,258 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 405 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1873 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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