Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Rapid City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Rapid City?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Boston vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 58% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 31% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$533

+72% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$807

+59% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,156

+46% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,260

+44% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$270,000

+62% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$65,712

+31% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$46,270

+31% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

39.0 yr

+5.8 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

35.4%

61.6%

+26.2 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

36.4%

+17.7 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

17.4 min

+12.8 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

718.9

+14% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

2,030.8

3,795.8

+87% in Rapid City, SD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

47.1°F

+4.4°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

16.3 in

+27.5 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.85/gal

+5% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

15.4

+48% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$15.26

+50% in Boston, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

Average prices — Northeast vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / SD)

6.25%

4.2%

+2.0 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

None

+9.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Rapid City?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).