Rapid City SD vs Thousand Oaks 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%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $1,053,424 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, 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%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 62.7°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, 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
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 Thousand Oaks. Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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