Rochester, MN vs Rapid City, SD: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Rapid City, SD is 1.8% less expensive than Rochester, MN (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Rochester works out to about $73,600 in Rapid City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 7.7% less in Rapid City. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.3% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,457 a month in Rapid City and $1,590 in Rochester, $1,596 a year less in Rapid City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $370,000 in Rapid City and $338,000 in Rochester.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 7.7% lower in Rapid City than in Rochester
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.8 | 89.2 |
| Goods | 95.4 | 95.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.6 | 72.6 |
| Utilities | 87.4 | 79.1 |
| Other services | 92.2 | 91.9 |
| Category | Rochester | Rapid City | Rapid City vs Rochester |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.8 | 89.2 | −1.8% |
| Goods | 95.4 | 95.5 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.6 | 72.6 | −7.7% |
| Utilities | 87.4 | 79.1 | −9.5% |
| Other services | 92.2 | 91.9 | −0.3% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,590 | $1,457 | −8.4% |
| Typical home value | $338,000 | $370,000 | +9.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Rochester | $75,000 | $73,600 | −1.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Rochester and Rapid City has narrowed since 2008: 4.9 points then, 1.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.2 | 90.3 |
| 2009 | 95.6 | 90.4 |
| 2010 | 91.2 | 91.8 |
| 2011 | 93.6 | 86.9 |
| 2012 | 94.5 | 94.5 |
| 2013 | 93.9 | 93.3 |
| 2014 | 95.9 | 91.7 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 89.7 |
| 2016 | 92.8 | 89.8 |
| 2017 | 92.8 | 89.3 |
| 2018 | 93.1 | 92.0 |
| 2019 | 94.7 | 92.4 |
| 2020 | 96.7 | 94.2 |
| 2021 | 91.9 | 92.0 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 90.6 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 90.3 |
| 2024 | 90.8 | 89.2 |
Goods
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.0 | 93.2 |
| 2009 | 94.0 | 94.9 |
| 2010 | 95.5 | 95.9 |
| 2011 | 95.0 | 95.8 |
| 2012 | 96.0 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 95.8 | 96.8 |
| 2014 | 97.6 | 98.1 |
| 2015 | 97.6 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 96.6 | 96.7 |
| 2017 | 95.0 | 95.1 |
| 2018 | 93.1 | 95.8 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 97.8 |
| 2020 | 96.3 | 96.6 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 94.6 | 94.0 |
| 2023 | 97.0 | 97.4 |
| 2024 | 95.4 | 95.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.8 | 64.6 |
| 2009 | 91.9 | 63.8 |
| 2010 | 66.6 | 70.6 |
| 2011 | 84.2 | 53.4 |
| 2012 | 87.8 | 86.2 |
| 2013 | 82.1 | 79.9 |
| 2014 | 94.2 | 71.6 |
| 2015 | 87.7 | 67.1 |
| 2016 | 82.6 | 69.8 |
| 2017 | 87.1 | 69.3 |
| 2018 | 80.7 | 71.0 |
| 2019 | 87.2 | 72.1 |
| 2020 | 101.3 | 79.0 |
| 2021 | 76.4 | 76.5 |
| 2022 | 91.2 | 81.3 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 76.9 |
| 2024 | 78.6 | 72.6 |
Utilities
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.2 | 82.3 |
| 2009 | 83.8 | 82.2 |
| 2010 | 86.8 | 80.8 |
| 2011 | 86.9 | 82.2 |
| 2012 | 85.7 | 83.0 |
| 2013 | 88.3 | 83.3 |
| 2014 | 88.1 | 80.0 |
| 2015 | 86.1 | 80.3 |
| 2016 | 86.2 | 80.3 |
| 2017 | 88.6 | 84.1 |
| 2018 | 96.2 | 91.2 |
| 2019 | 94.4 | 89.2 |
| 2020 | 94.7 | 90.0 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 94.9 |
| 2022 | 95.5 | 89.7 |
| 2023 | 88.9 | 81.7 |
| 2024 | 87.4 | 79.1 |
Other services
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 98.5 |
| 2009 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2010 | 97.8 | 98.2 |
| 2011 | 95.7 | 95.9 |
| 2012 | 96.1 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 96.6 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 95.7 | 96.1 |
| 2015 | 93.3 | 94.0 |
| 2016 | 94.2 | 94.1 |
| 2017 | 93.5 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 96.4 | 96.8 |
| 2019 | 95.8 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 95.6 | 98.2 |
| 2021 | 95.0 | 96.0 |
| 2022 | 90.5 | 91.6 |
| 2023 | 90.8 | 91.0 |
| 2024 | 92.2 | 91.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,457 in Rapid City vs $1,590 in Rochester
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,051 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,064 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,064 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,060 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,101 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,090 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,104 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,079 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,138 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,143 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,125 | $932 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,103 | $931 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,107 | $925 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,160 | $955 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,178 | $965 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,176 | $940 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,178 | $952 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,205 | $969 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,212 | $972 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,199 | $960 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,225 | $981 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,221 | $994 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,214 | $1,010 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,202 | $1,004 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,255 | $1,067 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,289 | $1,088 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,293 | $1,140 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,297 | $1,174 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,349 | $1,255 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,402 | $1,333 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,397 | $1,342 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,396 | $1,295 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,426 | $1,291 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,460 | $1,314 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,429 | $1,329 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,431 | $1,331 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,469 | $1,329 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,493 | $1,370 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,476 | $1,373 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,496 | $1,367 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,524 | $1,367 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,555 | $1,382 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,560 | $1,400 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,518 | $1,396 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,556 | $1,404 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,590 | $1,429 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,590 | $1,457 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $370,000 in Rapid City vs $338,000 in Rochester
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Rochester, MN
- Rapid City, SD
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Rochester, MN | Rapid City, SD | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $173K | $186K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $175K | $188K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $179K | $191K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $182K | $192K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $185K | $195K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $189K | $196K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $193K | $197K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $197K | $199K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $200K | $201K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $206K | $204K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $209K | $206K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $213K | $209K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $217K | $212K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $219K | $213K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $223K | $216K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $225K | $218K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $228K | $222K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $231K | $225K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $233K | $228K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $236K | $233K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $239K | $238K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $242K | $242K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $246K | $246K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $256K | $255K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $264K | $265K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $275K | $280K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $282K | $294K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $284K | $305K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $297K | $324K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $309K | $342K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $306K | $343K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $303K | $343K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $302K | $341K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $308K | $345K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $310K | $348K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $310K | $348K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $312K | $351K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $316K | $353K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $316K | $356K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $320K | $360K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $322K | $362K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $322K | $362K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $326K | $363K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $331K | $367K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $335K | $371K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $336K | $369K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $338K | $370K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.