Rapid City SD vs St. Louis MO — 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 78.3% | 45.7% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.1% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $55,279 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $38,947 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $58,527 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 19.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 45.4% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 501 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2418 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.8% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.8% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | 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
Rapid City +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 24.0 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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