Rapid City SD vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 26,509 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 78.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 3.9% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $69,467 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1992 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 34.0 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 28.3 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rochester 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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