Earlier this year, Livability released its 2024 list of 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. Rapid City was one of the cities on the list this year, outpacing more than 2,000 U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 in this data-driven ranking. The list is based on extensive research into economic variables and factors that influence quality of life, with a unique emphasis on affordability.
How Livability Created the Top 100 List
Livability.com partnered with Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) to curate the Top 100 Best Places to Live list based on about 100 data points measuring eight categories: economy, housing
and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health. Livability and AGS collected data for more than 2,000 U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000, using an algorithm to weigh the eight categories against each other and select the 100 best places to live. Per Livability’s attention to the cost of living, only cities with a median home value of $500,000 or less were included in the final Top 100 Best Places to Live. Analysis of average rent and home prices relative to income in each city is also part of the selection process.
Rapid City’s Top 100 Score
The Quality of Life LivScore Rapid City received was 699. Top categories for Rapid City’s score were Housing & Cost of Living, Environment, and Transportation. A few thing especially noteworthy:
- Short commutes: The average commute throughout South Dakota is under 14 minutes.
- Sunny days: Rapid City averages 218 sunny days a year.
- Outdoor Activities: Bike trails, fly fishing, and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities abound. People enjoy Rapid City’s close proximity to National Parks like Badlands and Mount Rushmore National Memorial as well as Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial.
To view all the details about Rapid City’s score you can click here.
Local Reaction
“As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country for the last three years, we know Rapid City is a place people want to be,” said Tom Johnson, president and CEO of Elevate Rapid City. “This recognition is a testament to years of leadership, hard work, and collaboration between the community and public officials. As a result, Rapid City boasts a vibrant downtown with pet-friendly patios, coffee shops, and breweries, alongside well-established industries like healthcare and technology. We are thrilled to see Rapid City receive the recognition our hardworking people deserve.”
Rapid City was one of two South Dakota communities that made the list. Sioux Falls received a LivScore of 741.
Learn More
- Explore Livability’s full methodology and potentially find your own ideal city on the Livability website.
