Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 76,836 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.0 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 2.3% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 29.7% | 1.6% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.3% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 5.6% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $65,712 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $40,447 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 36.4% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $363,258 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 405 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1873 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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%.
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