Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rapid City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Rapid City | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,425 | -6% |
| Groceries | $340 | $442 | -23% |
| Utilities | $285 | $323 | -12% |
| Transport | $150 | $899 | -83% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $3,089 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schenectady 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 $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Rapid City | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 59.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rapid City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rapid City | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Schenectady.
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 | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
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.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rapid City
#28South 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
Schenectady
#72New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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