Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 76,836 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.3% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.3% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 5.6% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $363,258 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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