Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 76,836 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.0 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 2.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 39.9% | 1.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 5.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $363,258 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 405 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1873 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³).
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