Pittsburgh 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 76,836 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.0 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 2.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 22.5% | 1.6% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $40,447 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 36.4% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $363,258 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 405 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1873 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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