Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 76,836 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.0 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 2.3% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.3% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 5.6% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $40,447 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 36.4% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $363,258 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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%.
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