Pasadena TX 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
125,983
Pasadena +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 76,836 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.0 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 2.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 18.1% | 1.6% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 1.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 5.6% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $65,712 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $40,447 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 3.2% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 13.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 36.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $363,258 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 61.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.5% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.9% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | 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.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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