Rapid City SD vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $69,581 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $427,121 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.5% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 25.0 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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