Rapid City SD vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 78.3% | 39.1% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.5% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 14.5% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $580,173 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 41.1% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1999 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Rapid City +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 24.0% | Rapid City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 32.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rapid City, SDLos Angeles, CA vs Rapid City, SDChicago, IL vs Rapid City, SDHouston, TX vs Rapid City, SDPhoenix, AZ vs Rapid City, SDPhiladelphia, PA vs Rapid City, SD