City Comparison

Peoria vs Rapid City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

Rapid City

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

The Verdict

15.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.3%, with Rapid City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $65,044 in Rapid City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
149
Peoria
91
Rapid City
Groceries
98
Peoria
102
Rapid City
Utilities
106
Peoria
87
Rapid City
Transportation
95
Peoria
102
Rapid City
Healthcare
86
Peoria
107
Rapid City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Peoria has the same purchasing power as $65,044 in Rapid City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $86,480 in Peoria.

Living in Peoria vs Rapid City

Housing Costs

Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $325,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria vs $485/month in Rapid City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Peoria and 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $348 in Rapid City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria and 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,300 in Peoria and $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $72,347 respectively. Peoria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,270/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rapid City is 15.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,044 in Rapid City, based on the cost of living difference.
Peoria's housing index is 149 with median homes at $495,000, while Rapid City's is 91 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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