Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 76,836 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.0 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 2.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 5.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,795 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 405 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1873 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.9% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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