Rapid City SD vs Round Rock TX — 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 78.3% | 58.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
3.6%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $63,758 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.6% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $411,570 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.3% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 442 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2339 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.2% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.6% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 35.7 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 26.1 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, 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 442 in Round Rock. 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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