Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 76,836 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.0 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 2.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.6% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.3% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 5.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $65,712 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 405 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1873 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.8% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.5% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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