Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 76,836 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 39.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 2.3% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.3% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 5.6% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $65,712 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $40,447 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,795 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 13.3% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 36.4% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.8% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.0% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 20.5% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.9% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 18.4 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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