Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Plymouth +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 76,836 | Plymouth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 2.3% | Plymouth + |
| White | 74.8% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 5.0% | 1.6% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 1.3% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $65,712 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $40,447 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 3.2% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 13.3% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 36.4% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 61.6% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 405 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 34.0% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.8% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 16.0% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 9.6% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.9% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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