Rapid City SD vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 78.3% | 70.5% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $60,713 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 13.4% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $580,126 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 46.8% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1931 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.8°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 21.3 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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