Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Ontario +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 76,836 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.0 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 2.3% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.6% | Ontario + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 1.3% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 5.6% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $65,712 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $40,447 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 13.3% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 36.4% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 34.0% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.5% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.9% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 18.4 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
28.2 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. 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, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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