Brookings, SD vs Rapid City, SD

Brookings is moderately more affordable than Rapid City, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. Brookings scores 78 compared to 86 for Rapid City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rapid City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookings is $862/month compared to $1,053/month in Rapid City — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brookings is more affordable at $243,600 median vs $270,000.

Median household income in Brookings is $61,979 compared to $65,712 in Rapid City (-5.7%). The higher salaries in Rapid City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookings spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.2% in Rapid City.