Rapid City SD vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 78.3% | 31.9% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $720,443 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 41.2% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.4% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 59.2°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 32.2 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 25.2 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. 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 Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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