Rapid City SD vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 78.3% | 40.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $51,339 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $27,054 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 25.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 19.7% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 49.5% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.6% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.7% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.5% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 22.6 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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