Rapid City SD vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $871,599 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 44.3% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3409 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.6°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 37.5 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 28.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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