Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 2.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.6% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 1.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 5.6% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $65,712 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $40,447 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 13.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 36.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 34.0% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.8% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.0% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.5% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.9% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.8 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. 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, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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