Port St. Lucie FL 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)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 76,836 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 2.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 19.2% | 1.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 5.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $65,712 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 13.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $363,258 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 61.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 405 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1873 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 34.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 20.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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