New Braunfels TX 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 Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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 Braunfels
267
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 2.3% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 84.3% | 78.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 5.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $65,712 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $363,258 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 61.6% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.5% | New Braunfels + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.9% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. 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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