Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 76,836 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 39.0 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 2.3% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 5.6% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 36.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $363,258 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.0% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 20.5% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville 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 Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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