2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rapid City, SD vs Columbus, IN

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or is it cheaper to live in Rapid City?
- Columbus is 15.0% less expensive than Rapid City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Columbus or Rapid City?
- Columbus housing costs are 21.5% less expensive than Rapid City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rapid City or is Health Care more affordable in Columbus.
- Health related expenses are 36.1% less in Columbus.
 Rapid City, SDColumbus, INUnited States
 Overall  Unlock83.1100
 Food & Groceries100.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.9100
 Housing89.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$230,100$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock69.4100
 Miscellaneous91.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Rapid City    31 Reviews

I have lived in this city for the last three and half years and I can't stand it!! Let me spell it out for you, but to be fair, let me give you the Pros first:  More

   |    Reply

Unless you made your pension out of state or already bought a home you can't afford to liver there. Rapid City is gray in winter.  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in the city 5 years a loved  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rapid City

Reviews for Columbus    16 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up in Columbus Indiana and returned 38 years later after retiring. Columbus has always been a unique place to live and well above average for Indiana. However,  More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a beautiful town for young families or up and coming professionals. It has great restaurants, parks, architecture, and diverse recreation.   More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a friendly town that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. It provides lots of amenities for young families with very close proximity to big cities  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbus


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.