Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Plano
53.2%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 76,836 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 2.3% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.6% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 1.3% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 5.6% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $65,712 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $40,447 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 13.3% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 36.4% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.0% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 20.5% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.9% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Plano, 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. 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, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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