Rapid City SD vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.2 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 78.3% | 44.0% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $65,328 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 14.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $399,650 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 50.2% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 75.4°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 62.3 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 25.0 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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