Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Rapid City.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,412 | -5% |
| Groceries | $340 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $285 | $281 | +1% |
| Transport | $150 | $126 | +19% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $135 | +171% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $2,404 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rapid City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 59.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rapid City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Rapid City.
From a growth perspective, Rapid City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rapid City
Advantages
Rapid City experienced a significant population growth rate of 1.83% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a thriving community.
The unemployment rate in Rapid City is exceptionally low at 1.9% in 2026, well below the national average, suggesting a strong job market.
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2025, highlighting high standards of patient safety.
The cost of living in Rapid City is slightly lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 99, making it a relatively affordable place to reside.
Violent crime in Rapid City has seen a 26% decrease since 2020, reaching a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improved public safety efforts.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements, Rapid City's overall crime rate of 46 per one thousand residents is considered high compared to many communities nationwide.
Demand for housing has at times outpaced supply, contributing to rising costs and potential challenges for new residents.
Grocery prices in Rapid City are slightly higher than the national average, impacting everyday household expenses.
Some tourism-affiliated sectors in Rapid City offer lower-than-average wages, which can affect the overall earning potential for a segment of the workforce.
The city exhibits a medium car dependency, with limited public transit options and most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rapid City
#21South Dakota, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$46,200
Cost Index
99
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.83%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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