Hattiesburg MS 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)
Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$221,516
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 76,836 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 78.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,712 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,447 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $363,258 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 405 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1873 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.5% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Rapid City
18.8 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hattiesburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,516. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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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