Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 76,836 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.0 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 2.3% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 7.8% | 1.6% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.3% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 5.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $65,712 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 34.0% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.5% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.9% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 18.4 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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