Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 76,836 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.0 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 2.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 4.3% | 1.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 5.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $65,712 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $363,258 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 20.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. 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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