Rapid City SD vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 78.3% | 50.7% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $55,931 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $35,704 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $65,328 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 23.2% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 39.5% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.1% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.3% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 67.6°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 58.1 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 20.3 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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