Palm Bay FL 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)
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
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
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 76,836 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 2.3% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 19.3% | 1.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 5.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $65,712 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 13.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $363,258 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 61.6% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 20.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.9% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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