Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 76,836 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 39.0 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 2.3% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 5.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $65,712 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $40,447 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 36.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $363,258 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 20.5% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.9% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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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