Rapid City SD vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 78.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.6% | 0.8% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $60,713 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $672,082 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1931 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 24.6 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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