Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 76,836 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.0 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 2.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 5.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $65,712 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $40,447 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 36.4% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 34.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 20.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 18.4 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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