Rapid City SD vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.5% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.5% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.2% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | 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 +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. 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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