Rapid City SD vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 41.5 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 78.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 2.4% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $37,315 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $58,052 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.2% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 471 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 27.5 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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