Rapid City SD vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 78.3% | 51.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $65,328 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $376,530 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 50.2% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 73.4°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 46.3 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 26.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Tampa 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 Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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