New Bedford 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)
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
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
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Bedford
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
New Bedford
57.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
New Bedford
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | 76,836 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 2.3% | New Bedford + |
| White | 57.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 6.0% | 1.6% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.3% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 24.5% | 5.6% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Bedford
$56,025
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
New Bedford
$30,475
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
New Bedford
7.6%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
New Bedford
19.9%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Bedford
16.8%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,025 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,475 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,795 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 16.8% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Bedford
$439,767
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
New Bedford
40.0%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $439,767 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.0% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 405 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1873 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
36.3%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
13.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Bedford
22.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
11.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Bedford
21.4%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.5% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.8°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Bedford
51.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Bedford
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Bedford
27.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Bedford, MA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, New Bedford 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 New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
New Bedford, MA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Bedford, MAChicago, IL vs New Bedford, MAHouston, TX vs New Bedford, MANew Bedford, MA vs Phoenix, AZNew Bedford, MA vs Philadelphia, PA