Rapid City SD vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rapid City
76,836
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rapid City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Rapid City
39.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Rapid City
2.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Rapid City
1.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Rapid City
1.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Rapid City
5.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Rapid City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 2.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 78.3% | 58.0% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 1.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rapid City
$65,712
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rapid City
$69,795
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,712 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,447 | $35,825 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,795 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.3% | 19.8% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 34.1% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $363,258 | $435,532 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 42.4% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
405
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rapid City
1873
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 405 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1873 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
11.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
9.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
20.5%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rapid City
15.9%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.3% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 47.9°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 48.1 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rapid City
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Rapid City, SD | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.8 min | 27.3 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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