Rapid City SD vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 42.5 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 78.3% | 40.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $63,758 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $449,058 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 442 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2339 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 71.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 50.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 31.6 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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