Rapid City SD vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 78.3% | 53.2% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $69,467 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 15.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 53.2% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1992 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 24.1 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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