Rapid City SD vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 33,889 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 78.3% | 61.9% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $68,110 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.2% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 47.8°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 35.6 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 33.7 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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