Is Brandon or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brandon is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 94/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 448 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 90% lower. Brandon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brandon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 7.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brandon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brandon, SD
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brandon | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 448.1 | 4,516.0 | -4,067.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 73.2 | 723.8 | -650.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 135.9 | -135.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 103.8 | -103.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 73.2 | 473.1 | -399.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 374.9 | 3,792.1 | -3,417.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 45.7 | 427.4 | -381.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 256.1 | 2,986.8 | -2,730.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.2 | 378.0 | -304.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brandon or Rapid City safer?
Brandon is safer with a total crime rate of 448 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brandon has a violent crime rate of 73.2 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Brandon has lower violent crime.
About Brandon, SD
Brandon, South Dakota, a growing suburb east of Sioux Falls, sits in the Big Sioux River valley. Home to roughly 11,000 residents, it boasts a strong community spirit, reflecting its agricultural heritage. With a safety score of 94/100 and a population coverage of 10,935, Brandon has a total crime rate of 448.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.