Elgin IL 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 76,836 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.0 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 2.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 5.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $65,712 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 13.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $363,258 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 61.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 405 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1873 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.5% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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