Rapid City SD vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 78.3% | 69.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $36,477 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $63,691 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 14.7% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $438,754 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 55.7% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3001 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.4% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 53.0°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 39.7 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 24.5 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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