Rapid City SD vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 78.3% | 59.4% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 33.5% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $496,966 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.5% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3409 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.3% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 53.5°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 39.2 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 31.1 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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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