Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rapid City?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID versus $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 33% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$533

+65% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$807

+48% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,156

+22% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,260

+33% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$270,000

+44% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$65,712

+33% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$46,270

+6% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

39.0 yr

+1.6 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

76.1%

61.6%

+14.5 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

36.4%

+8.0 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

22.3 min

17.4 min

+4.9 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

718.9

+378% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

583.5

3,795.8

+551% 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

52.5°F

47.1°F

+5.4°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

16.3 in

+4.6 in in Rapid City, SD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.4

+7% in Rapid City, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$15.26

+35% in Rapid City, SD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Rapid City, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / SD)

4.2%

+1.8 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Meridian vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rapid City?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).