Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 76,836 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.0 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 2.3% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 5.6% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 34.0% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.8% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.5% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.9% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 18.4 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 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, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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