City Comparison
Pierre vs Rapid City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pierre scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Rapid City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pierre is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Rapid City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pierre's average rent is
29% lower than Rapid City's.
| Metric | Pierre | Rapid City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,338 | -29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $340 | +12% |
| Utilities | $175 | $285 | -39% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $366 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,479 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pierre offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pierre delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pierre is estimated at
$48,000 vs $50,000 in Rapid City.
| Metric | Pierre | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $46,200 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 46,667 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $70,870 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pierre runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pierre sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 59.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Rapid City.
Pierre scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pierre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Pierre.
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 | Pierre | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 88,067 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.83% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 39.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pierre
Advantages
State capital status provides exceptionally stable public sector and government employment opportunities.
Crime rates in Pierre are significantly lower than the national average, ensuring high community safety.
World-class hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are available directly along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to the national average and major coastal metropolitan markets.
Minimal traffic congestion leads to exceptionally short and stress-free daily commute times.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs can limit specialized shopping and entertainment choices.
Extreme winter weather conditions with cold temperatures and snowfall require careful preparation.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes personal vehicle ownership essentially mandatory.
Commercial flight options at the local airport can be limited and more expensive than larger regional hubs.
Limited local industry diversification outside of government, healthcare, and retail sectors.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pierre
#97South Dakota, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
Rapid City
#270South Dakota, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$46,200
Cost Index
99
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.83%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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