Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 76,836 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.0 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 2.3% | Pueblo + |
| White | 70.3% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.6% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 5.6% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,795 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $363,258 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.0% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.5% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.9% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 18.4 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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