City Comparison
Rapid City vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rapid City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Rapid City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rapid City's average rent is
41% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Rapid City | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $950 | +41% |
| Groceries | $340 | $400 | -15% |
| Utilities | $285 | $180 | +58% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $250 | +46% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $1,900 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield 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 $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Rapid City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| 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
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Springfield.
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 | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Springfield.
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 | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | % |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Springfield
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average, with housing costs running about 46% below the national norm. [25]
Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $920 per month, significantly lower than the national average of $1,430. [25]
The median home value in Springfield is $102,100, which is 64% below the national average. [41]
Springfield has a lower rent-to-income ratio compared to other small metros in Ohio, indicating better rental affordability. [14]
The city is actively working on downtown revitalization, with new residential housing and entertainment venues. [30]
Drawbacks
Springfield has a high crime rate, significantly above both state and national averages, with a concerning trend in violent and property crimes. [9, 26]
The violent crime rate in Springfield is 1371.1 per 100,000 residents, which is substantially higher than the national average. [9]
Springfield has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a chance of becoming a victim of crime being one in 17. [26]
The city's walkability score is very low, indicating a high dependency on cars for transportation. [22, 38]
The median household income of $47,143 is below the national average, and the poverty rate is 23.1%, higher than the national average. [3, 39]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rapid City
#91South Dakota, USA
56.5 / 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
Springfield
#135Ohio, USA
48.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
6.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rapid City and Springfield.
Open Cost Calculator