Greensboro NC 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)
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
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
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 76,836 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.0 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 2.3% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.6% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.3% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 5.6% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 36.4% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $363,258 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 405 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.5% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.9% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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
Greensboro, NC vs New York, NYGreensboro, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC vs Houston, TXGreensboro, NC vs Phoenix, AZGreensboro, NC vs Philadelphia, PA