Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 76,836 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 2.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 5.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $65,712 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $40,447 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 36.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA