Rapid City SD vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
San Marcos
1.4%
San Marcos +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 78.3% | 66.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.4% | San Marcos + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $64,146 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $33,835 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $63,758 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.2% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 24.9% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, 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%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.3% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.7% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 68.5°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 35.7 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, 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 Marcos
19.0 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 19.0 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos 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 Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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