Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 76,836 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 2.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 36.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $363,258 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 405 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1873 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Rapid City
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.9% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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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