Median rent is 36% lower in Rapid City ($1,053/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rapid City, where the median home runs $270,000 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $65,712 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Rapid City, SD
How much would you need to earn in Rapid City, SD to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Rapid City
South Dakota
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Rapid City — median rent of $1,053/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 36% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $270,000 in Rapid City — 47% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and South Dakota have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.20% in South Dakota; Rapid City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Rapid City
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 4.20%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Rapid City.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Rapid City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,053/mo median).
Is Austin cheaper than Rapid City?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Rapid City?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,053/mo in Rapid City, SD. Rapid City, SD has the lower rent by about 36%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Rapid City?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Rapid City?
Both Texas and South Dakota have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Rapid City to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology