Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 76,836 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.0 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 2.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.6% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.3% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 5.6% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $65,712 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,795 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 405 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1873 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 34.0% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.5% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.9% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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