City vs city
Bethlehem, PA vs Rapid City, SD
- Rent is 25% lower in Rapid City (median $1,109/mo vs $1,382/mo in Bethlehem).
- Homes cost 15% less in Bethlehem ($260k vs $299k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $465 more a month after taxes and rent in Rapid City.
- Rapid City has no state income tax on wages; Bethlehem does.
- Schools rate higher in Bethlehem (5.1/10 vs 4.7/10).
- Bethlehem has less violent crime (2 vs 7.7 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Rapid City gets more sun (223 vs 169 sunny days a year).
| Bethlehem | Rapid City | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,382/mo | $1,109/mo |
| Median home value | $260k | $299k |
| Median household income | $69k | $71k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,559 | $4,024 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 5.1/10 | 4.7/10 |
| Violent crime | 44% below the US rate | 2.1× the US rate |
| Summer average | 86°F | 84°F |
| Winter average | 30°F | 26°F |
| Sunny days a year | 169 | 223 |
| Walk score | 33 | 52 |
| Population | 77,956 | 77,946 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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