Rapid City SD vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 78.3% | 26.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $31,279 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.0% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 15.4% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 19.1% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $431,297 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 53.2% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 503 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2388 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.0% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 62.2°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 33.2 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. 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, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rapid City, SDLos Angeles, CA vs Rapid City, SDChicago, IL vs Rapid City, SDHouston, TX vs Rapid City, SDPhoenix, AZ vs Rapid City, SDPhiladelphia, PA vs Rapid City, SD