Elk Grove CA 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Rapid City
39.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 76,836 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 2.3% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 5.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $65,712 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $40,447 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 13.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 36.4% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 61.6% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 34.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA