Rancho Cucamonga CA 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 76,836 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 39.0 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 2.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 1.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 5.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
36.4%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $65,712 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $40,447 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 13.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 36.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
61.6%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 61.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 34.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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