Rapid City SD vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 78.3% | 48.7% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $57,673 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $35,074 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $59,120 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 17.9% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $419,326 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1999 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 63.8°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 58.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 23.2 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Wilmington 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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