New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 76,836 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 39.0 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 2.3% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 30.6% | 1.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.3% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 5.6% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,795 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 36.4% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $363,258 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 405 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1873 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.5% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.9% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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