City Comparison

Ogden vs Rapid City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Rapid City

South Dakota
98
Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$70,900
Median Income

The Verdict

9.2%

Living in Rapid City costs 9.2% less than Ogden. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Ogden, you would need $68,692 in Rapid City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
112
Ogden
91
Rapid City
Groceries
92
Ogden
102
Rapid City
Utilities
80
Ogden
87
Rapid City
Transportation
101
Ogden
102
Rapid City
Healthcare
91
Ogden
107
Rapid City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ogden has the same purchasing power as $68,692 in Rapid City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $81,888 in Ogden.

Living in Ogden vs Rapid City

Housing Costs

Ogden's housing index of 112 is higher Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $325,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Ogden compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Ogden and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Ogden vs $485/month in Rapid City. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Ogden and 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Ogden vs $348 in Rapid City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Ogden and 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,100 in Ogden and $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,514 and $72,347 respectively. Rapid City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Ogden vs $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rapid City is 9.2% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Ogden has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,692 in Rapid City, based on the cost of living difference.
Ogden's housing index is 112 with median homes at $385,000, while Rapid City's is 91 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases