Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Kent
67.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 76,836 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.0 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.3% | 1.6% | Kent + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.3% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 5.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $65,712 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 61.6% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 34.0% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.8% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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