Rapid City SD vs Reno NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 78.3% | 63.5% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $62,696 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.0% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 35.7% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $570,934 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 49.4% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 460 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2417 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 53.0°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 22.3 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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