Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 76,836 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.0 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 2.3% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.3% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 5.6% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $65,712 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $40,447 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 36.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $363,258 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 405 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1873 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³).
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