Rapid City SD vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Roswell
92,577
Roswell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 92,577 | Roswell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 78.3% | 65.0% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Roswell
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $57,405 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $662,209 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 29.6 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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