Oklahoma City 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 76,836 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 39.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 2.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 1.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 5.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $65,712 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $363,258 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, 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
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 20.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, 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
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma 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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