Louisville 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 76,836 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.0 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 2.3% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.6% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.3% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 5.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $363,258 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 405 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1873 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
24.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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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