Rapid City SD vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 78.3% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 1.6% | 0.6% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.2% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
St. George
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $36,254 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $60,713 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 34.1% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $456,900 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1931 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
St. George
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 63.9°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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