Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Orem
77.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 76,836 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 39.0 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 2.3% | Orem + |
| White | 77.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.9% | 1.6% | Orem + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 5.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $65,712 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 13.3% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 405 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.0% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 20.5% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 15.9% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 18.4 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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