Rapid City SD vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 78.3% | 59.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $57,405 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $694,123 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 50.7% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 27.9 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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