Rapid City SD vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 78.3% | 21.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.4% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $28,813 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 14.2% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 15.5% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $751,711 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 47.0% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 503 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2388 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 57.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 28.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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