Norman OK 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)
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Norman
73.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 76,836 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 39.0 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 2.3% | Norman + |
| White | 73.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.1% | 1.6% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.3% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 5.6% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 36.4% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $363,258 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.5% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.9% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. 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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