Rapid City SD vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 51,054 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 78.3% | 64.8% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $57,688 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $35,780 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 9.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 23.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 36.8% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 434 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.6% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 18.7% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | 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 +
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 22.7 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. 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, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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