Grand Prairie TX 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 76,836 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.0 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 2.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 24.6% | 1.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 5.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $65,712 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 13.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $363,258 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 20.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | 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.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA