Las Vegas NV 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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 Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 76,836 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.0 | Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 2.3% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 5.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $65,712 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 34.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.9% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 18.4 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
Compare More Cities
Las Vegas, NV vs New York, NYLas Vegas, NV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZLas Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA