Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Durham
44.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 76,836 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.0 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 2.3% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.3% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $65,712 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $40,447 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 13.3% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 36.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 405 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.8% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.5% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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