Las Cruces NM 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)
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 76,836 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 39.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 2.3% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 5.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 36.4% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $363,258 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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