Rapid City SD vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 78.3% | 50.4% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $1,006,261 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 47.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 61.6°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 25.9 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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