Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 76,836 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 39.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 2.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 5.6% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $363,258 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 405 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1873 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Rapid City
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.5% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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