Rapid City SD vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 78.3% | 58.2% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $54,546 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $31,152 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $59,120 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 18.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 30.2% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 51.7% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 450 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 2150 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.7% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 69.8°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 23.9 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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