Rapid City SD vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | Rapid City + |
| 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
Rapid City +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $530,668 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 460 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2417 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.4°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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