Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 76,836 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.0 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 2.3% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.6% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.3% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 5.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $65,712 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.0% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.5% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.9% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 18.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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