Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 76,836 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 2.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $65,712 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 36.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $363,258 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.9% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas 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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