Rapid City SD vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $69,795 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Sioux Falls
405
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Sioux Falls
1873
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 405 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1873 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Sioux Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.9% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 19.8% | Sioux Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.9% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 27.7 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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