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

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 +

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%

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

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%

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

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Rapid City
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%.

Compare More Cities

About Port St. Lucie & Rapid City