Omaha NE 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)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
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
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 76,836 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 39.0 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 2.3% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.6% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.3% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 5.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $65,712 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $40,447 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.3% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 36.4% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $363,258 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 405 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Omaha +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.0% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.5% | Omaha + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.9% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 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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