Detroit 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 76,836 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 2.3% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 5.6% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $363,258 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Detroit, 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 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, 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
Detroit
27.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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