Rapid City, SD vs Sioux Falls, SD

Rapid City, SD and Sioux Falls, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Rapid City scores 86 while Sioux Falls scores 84 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rapid City is $1,053/month compared to $993/month in Sioux Falls — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sioux Falls has cheaper rent, Rapid City actually has lower median home values ($270,000 vs $271,400).

Median household income in Rapid City is $65,712 compared to $74,714 in Sioux Falls (-12%). Sioux Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rapid City spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Sioux Falls.