Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 76,836 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 39.0 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 5.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $65,712 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $40,447 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,795 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 36.4% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 34.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 18.4 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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