New York 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
New York
35.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 76,836 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 39.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 2.3% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 22.7% | 1.6% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 1.3% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 5.6% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $65,712 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $40,447 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,795 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 36.4% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | New York, 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 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 34.0% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.0% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.5% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.9% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, 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
New York
44.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | New York, NY | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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