City Comparison
Spearfish vs Rapid City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spearfish scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spearfish
Rapid City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spearfish is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Rapid City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Spearfish's average rent is
14% lower than Rapid City's.
| Metric | Spearfish | Rapid City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,338 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $340 | +12% |
| Utilities | $170 | $285 | -40% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $366 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,030 | $2,479 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spearfish offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Spearfish delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Spearfish is estimated at
$48,000 vs $50,000 in Rapid City.
| Metric | Spearfish | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $46,200 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 46,667 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $70,870 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Spearfish runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Spearfish comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 31.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spearfish | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 59.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spearfish has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Rapid City.
Spearfish scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spearfish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spearfish | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Spearfish.
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 | Spearfish | Rapid City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,193 | 88,067 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.83% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 1.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spearfish
Advantages
Stunning natural setting with direct access to Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills recreation
Exceptionally low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety
Absence of state personal income tax in South Dakota
Home to Black Hills State University, bringing cultural events and educational opportunities
Over 270 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with limited geographic expansion space
Higher cost of living compared to the rural South Dakota average
Cold winter temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall
Limited public transportation options requiring car ownership
Nontrivial seasonal tourist traffic during peak summer months
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.
Spearfish
#70South Dakota, USA
69.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Spearfish and Rapid City.
Open Cost Calculator