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Is Rapid City a Good Place to Live? Rapid City, South Dakota: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Rapid City ranks #875 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #367 of 524 smaller cities and #16 of 20 in South Dakota. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low unemployment (1.9%, #1 of 476) and low living costs (89.2, #37 of 524), and trails on high violent crime (767 per 100,000, #425 of 444) and low graduation rates (77%, #391 of 437).
Rapid City by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Rapid City's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Rapid City?
Rapid City's cost of living index is 89.2, 11% below the US level of 100 and #177 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,109/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $361,540, 12% above the typical South Dakota home ($321,574).
| Measure | Rapid City | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 89.2#177 of 1,308 | 88.6 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $361,540#540 of 1,187 | $321,574 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,484/mo#323 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $299,400#528 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,109/mo#342 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 4.2x#631 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 18.8%#317 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Rapid City housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Rapid City is in the Rapid City, SD metro.
South Dakota housing market →Is Rapid City safe?
Rapid City recorded 767 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.3 times the US rate of 328 and 2.5 times South Dakota's 308. That ranks #995 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #425 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Rapid City Police Department. Property crime runs 3,655 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Rapid City | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 264 · US 328 | 767#995 of 1,085 | 308 | 264 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,550 · US 1,548 | 3,655#1025 of 1,085 | 1,312 | 1,550 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Rapid City?
The median household in Rapid City earns $70,870, 15% below the US figure of $83,163 and 8% below South Dakota ($76,881). Unemployment is 1.9% (US 4.3%). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.6% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Rapid City | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $70,870#799 of 1,312 | $76,881 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 1.9%#1 of 1,058 | 2.1% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 12.5%#690 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.6%#343 of 1,132 | +0.9% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Rapid City?
The median resident of Rapid City is 39.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 37% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #548 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Rapid City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 39.1 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 37%#548 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 62.9% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Rapid City's schools and health?
Rapid City's 20 public schools graduate 77% of students in four years (South Dakota 82.1%), with 16 students per teacher and $10,377 spent per pupil. 34% of adults are obese and 11.8% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Rapid City | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 77%#944 of 1,063 | 82.1% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 16#634 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $10,377#1120 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 34%#702 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 11.8%#759 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 16%#410 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.6%#604 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 11,464 students are enrolled in Rapid City's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Rapid City?
The average commute in Rapid City is 17.5 minutes (South Dakota 18.5); 0.2% of workers take transit and 10% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Rapid City scores 8.5 of 20 (below average walkable), #933 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 69.3°F and winters 25.3°F, with 17.4 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Rapid City | South DakotaSD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 17.5 min#168 of 1,312 | 18.5 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 3.6%#311 of 1,312 | 4.4% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 76.7% | 78.1% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 1.8% | 3% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 1.1% | 0.3% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 10% | 8% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 8.5#933 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). South Dakota is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 | 12.7 | 0.3 |
| Feb | 38.1 | 14 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 48.2 | 22.6 | 0.9 |
| Apr | 56.6 | 31.2 | 2.1 |
| May | 66.5 | 41.7 | 3.5 |
| Jun | 77.6 | 51.6 | 2.9 |
| Jul | 86.4 | 58.5 | 2.3 |
| Aug | 85.4 | 56.2 | 1.6 |
| Sep | 76.1 | 46.4 | 1.2 |
| Oct | 60.4 | 33.7 | 1.4 |
| Nov | 47.3 | 21.9 | 0.5 |
| Dec | 37.2 | 13.9 | 0.4 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Rapid City Rgnl Airport.
| Measure | Rapid City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 46.7°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 69.3°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 25.3°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 17.4 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Rapid City Rgnl Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Rapid City?
Pennington County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 78% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Pennington County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 51% of US counties.
| Measure | Rapid City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 32#85 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.15%#686 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Pennington County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Pennington County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.036% | 94% of counties |
| Hail | 0.014% | 90% of counties |
| Winter weather | 0.0012% | 81% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0016% | 70% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.077% | 45% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0016% | 37% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0036% | 31% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Rapid City compare with similar-size cities?
Rapid City is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #367 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 77,946.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SDPop. 77,946 | #875 | 52.1 | $70,870 | $1,109/mo | 767 | 17.5 min |
| Loveland, COPop. 78,410 | #397 | 60.1 | $84,604 | $1,730/mo | 163 | 26.2 min |
| Woodbury, MNPop. 78,305 | #99 | 68.4 | $125,310 | $1,908/mo | 75 | 23.9 min |
| Cedar Park, TXPop. 78,301 | #147 | 66.3 | $129,545 | $1,846/mo | 91 | 25.5 min |
| Bethlehem, PAPop. 77,956 | #365 | 60.7 | $68,879 | $1,382/mo | 197 | 22.1 min |
| Chino Hills, CAPop. 77,927 | #573 | 57.0 | $126,334 | $2,894/mo | 73 | 36.1 min |
| Racine, WIPop. 77,633 | #810 | 53.2 | $57,740 | $1,033/mo | 418 | 22.5 min |
| Redmond, WAPop. 77,353 | #43 | 71.1 | $162,560 | $2,409/mo | 104 | 22.1 min |
| Wyoming, MIPop. 77,353 | #644 | 55.9 | $73,677 | $1,196/mo | 459 | 21.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid City ranks #16 of the 20 South Dakota cities we track, with a score of 52.1 against South Dakota's statewide 79.3. Its households earn 8% below the South Dakota median. Violent crime is 2.5 times the statewide rate. Homes are 12% above the typical South Dakota home.
| City | Rank in SD | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon, SDPop. 10,996 | #1 | 70.0 | $110,806 | $976/mo | 46 |
| Tea, SDPop. 6,786 | #2 | 69.8 | $120,139 | $1,220/mo | 169 |
| Dakota Dunes, SDPop. 3,936 | #3 | 68.7 | $136,125 | $1,225/mo | no data |
| Harrisburg, SDPop. 8,519 | #4 | 62.7 | $108,724 | $1,362/mo | no data |
| Sioux Falls, SDPop. 201,469 | #5 | 61.9 | $75,970 | $1,035/mo | 364 |
| Aberdeen, SDPop. 28,189 | #6 | 59.8 | $64,405 | $762/mo | 425 |
| Brookings, SDPop. 23,948 | #7 | 56.9 | $63,493 | $889/mo | 113 |
| Watertown, SDPop. 23,044 | #8 | 55.7 | $69,600 | $942/mo | 181 |
| Madison, SDPop. 6,094 | #9 | 55.7 | $65,593 | $981/mo | 99 |
| Spearfish, SDPop. 12,930 | #10 | 55.1 | $65,688 | $963/mo | 232 |
| Rapid Valley, SDPop. 6,975 | #11 | 54.8 | $83,208 | $1,174/mo | no data |
| Yankton, SDPop. 15,540 | #12 | 53.9 | $67,804 | $790/mo | 191 |
| Pierre, SDPop. 13,948 | #13 | 53.5 | $77,672 | $983/mo | 561 |
| Mitchell, SDPop. 15,649 | #14 | 52.8 | $58,620 | $851/mo | 288 |
| Box Elder, SDPop. 12,902 | #15 | 52.7 | $73,008 | $1,491/mo | 312 |
| Rapid City, SDPop. 77,946 | #16 | 52.1 | $70,870 | $1,109/mo | 767 |
| Huron, SDPop. 14,385 | #17 | 49.4 | $61,452 | $888/mo | 281 |
| Belle Fourche, SDPop. 5,804 | #18 | 49.1 | $65,071 | $983/mo | 254 |
| Vermillion, SDPop. 11,878 | #19 | 48.4 | $50,456 | $764/mo | 185 |
| Sturgis, SDPop. 7,086 | #20 | 47.6 | $54,404 | $780/mo | 329 |
All 20 South Dakota cities we track, by overall score. South Dakota statewide: median income $76,881, violent crime 307.5 per 100,000.
How is Rapid City's score calculated?
Rapid City scores 52.1 out of 100, #875 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with South Dakota's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Rapid City. Similar-size median 55.5.
63.2 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Rapid City's police agency. Similar-size median 77.8.
31.7 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Rapid City. Similar-size median 58.9.
55.7 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Rapid City's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
39.6 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Rapid City's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
78.0 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Rapid City. Similar-size median 56.1.
48.0 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Rapid City. Similar-size median 42.4.
54.6 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Rapid City. Similar-size median 50.0.
50.3 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Rapid City's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
39.5 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
62.4 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Rapid City's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Rapid City has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Rapid City
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to live?
Rapid City ranks #875 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #367 of 524 smaller cities and #16 of 20 in South Dakota. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low unemployment (1.9%, #1 of 476) and low living costs (89.2, #37 of 524), and trails on high violent crime (767 per 100,000, #425 of 444) and low graduation rates (77%, #391 of 437).
What is the cost of living in Rapid City?
Rapid City's cost of living index is 89.2, 11% below the US level of 100 and #177 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,109/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $361,540, 12% above the typical South Dakota home ($321,574).
What is the crime rate in Rapid City?
Rapid City recorded 767 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.3 times the US rate of 328 and 2.5 times South Dakota's 308. That ranks #995 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #425 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Rapid City Police Department. Property crime runs 3,655 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Rapid City?
The median household in Rapid City earns $70,870, 15% below the US figure of $83,163 and 8% below South Dakota ($76,881). Unemployment is 1.9% (US 4.3%). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.6% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Rapid City?
Median rent in Rapid City is $1,109/mo (Census), #342 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,484/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 18.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Rapid City?
The typical home value in Rapid City is $361,540, up 2% in a year, against $321,574 for South Dakota and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $299,400.
How are the public schools in Rapid City?
Rapid City's 20 public schools graduate 77% of students in four years (South Dakota 82.1%), with 16 students per teacher and $10,377 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Rapid City?
The average commute is 17.5 minutes, #168 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 18.5 minutes across South Dakota. 3.6% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Rapid City?
Rapid City averages 46.7°F over the year, 69.3°F in summer and 25.3°F in winter, with 17.4 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Rapid City walkable?
Rapid City scores 8.5 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #933 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Rapid City at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Pennington County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and winter weather, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 51% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Rapid City?
Pennington County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 78% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Rapid City?
Rapid City has 77,946 residents. The median resident of Rapid City is 39.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 37% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #548 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid City ranks #16 of the 20 South Dakota cities we track, with a score of 52.1 against South Dakota's statewide 79.3. Its households earn 8% below the South Dakota median. Violent crime is 2.5 times the statewide rate. Homes are 12% above the typical South Dakota home.
What cities are similar in size to Rapid City?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Rapid City's population of 77,946 are Loveland, CO (#397 overall), Woodbury, MN (#99 overall), Cedar Park, TX (#147 overall), Bethlehem, PA (#365 overall), and Chino Hills, CA (#573 overall). Rapid City is #875.