CityCompare

North Las Vegas NV 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)

North Las Vegas, NV

Nevada · Population: 186,178

  • Median HH Income$58,874
  • Median Home Price$407,146
  • Unemployment9.4%
  • Bachelor's+23.9%

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
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Rapid City
39.0
Tie
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Rapid City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
18.4 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +

Which City is Right for You?

Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, 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 460 in North Las Vegas. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.

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About North Las Vegas & Rapid City

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