Rapid City wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Houston vs Rapid City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Houston buys roughly what $55,579 does in Rapid City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$2,323/yr
Favoring Rapid City for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $194/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~78 months and still keep ~$23/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Houston Texas | Rapid City South Dakota | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050 | $950Better | Rapid wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Rapid |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,200Better | Rapid wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Rapid |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,600Better | Rapid wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Rapid |
| Median home price | $280KBetter | $285K | Houston wins +$5K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Houston wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $52 | Houston wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90 | $40Wins | Rapid wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Rapid |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $190 | $138Wins | Rapid wins −$52/mo | $624/yr saves in Rapid |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $148Wins | Rapid wins −$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Rapid |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56K | $58KBetter | Rapid wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 6.4%Wins | Rapid wins -1.9 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $13.00Wins | Rapid wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Rapid wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Rapid wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 88Better | Rapid wins -7 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 49Wins | 22 | Houston wins -27 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Rapid City fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Rapid City.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Houston cheaper than Rapid City?
No. Rapid City is 8% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (88 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Houston vs Rapid City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,350/month and in Rapid City is $1,200/month. Houston is more expensive by 13%.
How much do I need to earn in Rapid City to match a $75,000 salary in Houston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $69,474/year in Rapid City to match a $75,000 salary in Houston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Houston or Rapid City?
Rapid City has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Rapid City has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Houston to Rapid City?
It depends on your priorities. Rapid City offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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