Rapid City SD vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 47,823 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 78.3% | 62.2% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $50,294 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $28,418 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $53,141 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 24.2% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 19.6% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 834 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3177 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 55.7°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 19.1 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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