Long Beach CA 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 76,836 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 39.0 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 2.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.6% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.3% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 5.6% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $65,712 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $40,447 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 34.0% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 18.4 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 503 in Long Beach. 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, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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