Lee's Summit MO 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)
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 76,836 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 39.0 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 2.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| White | 78.7% | 78.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $65,712 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $40,447 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 13.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 36.4% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $363,258 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. 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, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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