Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 76,836 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.0 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 2.3% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 23.4% | 1.6% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.6% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $363,258 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1873 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 20.5% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lansing, MI vs New York, NYLansing, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lansing, MIHouston, TX vs Lansing, MILansing, MI vs Phoenix, AZLansing, MI vs Philadelphia, PA