Dearborn MI 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)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 76,836 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 39.0 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 2.3% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 78.3% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.3% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $363,258 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.6% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1873 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.0% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.5% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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