Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Provo or Rapid City?

Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Provo vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT versus $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,800 in Provo, UT and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 4% higher in Rapid City, SD. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Provo, UT

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,009

$533

+47% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$978

$807

+17% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,128

$1,156

+2% in Rapid City, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,260

+9% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$437,100

$270,000

+38% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,800

$65,712

+5% in Rapid City, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,010

$46,270

+4% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

23.7 yr

39.0 yr

+15.3 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

39.9%

61.6%

+21.7 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.0%

36.4%

+8.6 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.5 min

17.4 min

+1.1 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

205.7

718.9

+249% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

1,280.6

3,795.8

+196% 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

53.4°F

47.1°F

+6.3°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

19.8 in

16.3 in

+3.5 in in Provo, UT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

15.4

+15% in Rapid City, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.84

$15.26

+29% in Rapid City, SD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Rapid City, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (UT / SD)

6.1%

4.2%

+1.9 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

None

+4.5 pp in UT

Provo vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Provo or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Provo than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Provo versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Provo or Rapid City?: Provo is taxed under Utah's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).