Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 76,836 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.0 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 2.3% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 5.6% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $363,258 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 405 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1873 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.5% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.9% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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