Mount Vernon NY 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)
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Mount Vernon
72,528
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 2.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 60.4% | 1.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 5.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $65,712 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $40,447 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,795 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1873 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 34.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 20.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.9% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. 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, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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