City Comparison

Rapid City vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rapid City

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

6.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.5%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Rapid City has equivalent purchasing power to $70,408 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Rapid City
82
Yuma
Groceries
102
Rapid City
101
Yuma
Utilities
87
Rapid City
102
Yuma
Transportation
102
Rapid City
97
Yuma
Healthcare
107
Rapid City
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rapid City has the same purchasing power as $70,408 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $79,891 in Rapid City.

Living in Rapid City vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Rapid City's housing index of 91 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $284,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Rapid City compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Rapid City and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Rapid City vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 87 in Rapid City and 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Rapid City vs $408 in Yuma. 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 107 in Rapid City and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,900 in Rapid City and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,347 and $58,804 respectively. Rapid City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,654/month to housing in Rapid City vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 6.5% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Rapid City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,408 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Rapid City's housing index is 91 with median homes at $325,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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