Rapid City SD vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Temecula
57.0%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Temecula
4.3%
Temecula +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 110,404 | Temecula + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 78.3% | 57.0% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.3% | Temecula + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 28.5% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $769,756 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, 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%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.6% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, 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 +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 38.7 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, 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 Temecula. 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, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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