Macon GA 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)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Macon
61,773
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Macon
43.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.0 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 2.3% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 30.4% | 1.6% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.3% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 5.6% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $65,712 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $40,447 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 13.3% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 36.4% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $363,258 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 405 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1873 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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