Oceanside CA 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)
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 76,836 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.0 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 2.3% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.6% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.3% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 5.6% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $65,712 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $40,447 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 13.3% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 34.0% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.9% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. 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, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oceanside, CALos Angeles, CA vs Oceanside, CAChicago, IL vs Oceanside, CAHouston, TX vs Oceanside, CAOceanside, CA vs Phoenix, AZOceanside, CA vs Philadelphia, PA