Rapid City SD vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 43.1 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 78.3% | 66.2% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $65,328 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.6% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 26.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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