Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 76,836 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.0 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 2.3% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.6% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.3% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 5.6% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $65,712 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 13.3% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 405 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.0% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.8% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.5% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.9% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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