Living in Rapid City, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rapid City · Census data 2020–2024
Rapid City has 77,946 residents with a median age of 39.1. The median household income is $70,870 (6% lower than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $299,400, the median rent is $1,109/month.
Rapid City at a glance
- Population
- 77,946
- Median age
- 39.1State: 38
- Median household income
- $70,870State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $299,400State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $1,109/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 62.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Rapid City a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.6%.
Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the South Dakota median; home values 16% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 12.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rapid City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rapid City the median home value is $299,400, 10% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,109 per month, which is 30.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,743 a month in housing costs.
Rapid City median household income
The median household income in Rapid City is $70,870 and the income per person is $42,204. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Rapid City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 35,577
- Owner-occupied
- 62.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.1%
- Vacant
- 9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.30
Rapid City demographics
- Population
- 77,946
- Median age
- 39.1
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 32,368
- Foreign-born
- 2.6%
- Veterans
- 11.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rapid City ›
Education in Rapid City
37% of adults 25 and older in Rapid City have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 14.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rapid City
- Unemployment rate
- 2.6%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 10%
- Drive alone
- 76.7%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.3%
Rapid City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 77,946 | $70,870 | $299,400 | $1,109 |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | $255,500 | $1,174 |
| Green Valley | 1,642 | $81,582 | $280,300 | — |
| Colonial Pine Hills | 2,609 | $98,696 | $406,500 | — |
| Ashland Heights | 1,105 | $57,353 | $219,600 | — |
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | $302,100 | $1,491 |
| Blackhawk | 2,934 | $71,993 | $273,300 | — |
| Summerset | 3,022 | $119,271 | $368,300 | $1,288 |
| Johnson Siding | 704 | $102,716 | $471,700 | — |
More for people moving to Rapid City
Rapid City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rapid City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rapid City, SD?
The median household income in Rapid City is $70,870, 6% lower than the South Dakota median of $75,081 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rapid City?
The median home value in Rapid City is $299,400, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Rapid City?
The median gross rent in Rapid City is $1,109 per month, about 30.1% of household income.
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.6%. Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the South Dakota median; home values 16% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 12.5%.
What is the median age in Rapid City?
The median age in Rapid City is 39.1 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Rapid City?
The average commute to work in Rapid City is 18 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rapid City?
The unemployment rate in Rapid City is 2.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rapid City?
37% of adults in Rapid City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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