Rapid City SD vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Rapid City +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 78.3% | 74.7% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.2% | Rapid City + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Westminster
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $528,447 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 512 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 3234 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.1% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 28.6 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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