Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 76,836 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 2.3% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.3% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 36.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $363,258 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 18.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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