Lake Charles LA 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)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
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
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 76,836 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 2.3% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $363,258 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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