Great Falls MT 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)
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
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
Great Falls
60,412
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Rapid City
2.3%
Rapid City +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 2.3% | Rapid City + |
| White | 84.8% | 78.3% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $363,258 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 61.6% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Great Falls +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Great Falls +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.8% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 20.5% | Great Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.9% | Great Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 18.4 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 18.8 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. 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%.
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