Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Dell Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dell Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
116% higher compared to Rapid City.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dell Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $340 | $500 | -32% |
| Utilities | $285 | $200 | +43% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $300 | +22% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $1,150 | +116% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dell Rapids offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dell Rapids 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 $75,000 in Dell Rapids.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $58,307 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 64,786 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $100,170 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 59.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rapid City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
Rapid City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rapid City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 23.1x the population of Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Rapid City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rapid City | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 3,815 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | % |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 1.80% |
| 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.
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
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
Dell Rapids
#49South Dakota, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rapid City and Dell Rapids.
Open Cost Calculator