Joliet IL 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)
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 76,836 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 39.0 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 2.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 17.0% | 1.6% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.3% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 5.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $65,712 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.3% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $363,258 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 61.6% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 405 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1873 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.5% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.9% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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