Rapid City SD vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 78.3% | 70.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.5% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $510,577 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 49.9% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3409 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.2% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.1°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 41.6 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 25.1 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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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