Rapid City SD vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 78.3% | 53.1% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $802,780 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | 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 +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, 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 +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 37.4 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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