Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Rapid City
78.3%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 76,836 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 39.0 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 2.3% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 78.3% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.3% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 5.6% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 36.4% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 405 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 34.0% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.8% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 20.5% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 15.9% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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