Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 76,836 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.0 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 2.3% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 30.1% | 1.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 5.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $65,712 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $363,258 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.9% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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