Rapid City SD vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 78.3% | 48.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $62,917 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $32,983 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $63,758 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 17.1% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 28.7% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 52.4% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, 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 +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.9% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 24.5% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 68.5°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 34.9 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 26.5 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rapid City, SDLos Angeles, CA vs Rapid City, SDChicago, IL vs Rapid City, SDHouston, TX vs Rapid City, SDPhoenix, AZ vs Rapid City, SDPhiladelphia, PA vs Rapid City, SD