Moving from Brookings, SD to Rapid City, SD?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Brookings or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Brookings is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 64/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 72% lower. Brookings has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookings has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Rapid City is 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Brookings, SD?
Brookings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookings, SD
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookings | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,266.3 | 4,516.0 | -3,249.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.3 | 723.8 | -634.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 135.9 | -119.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 103.8 | -103.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.0 | 473.1 | -404.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,177.0 | 3,792.1 | -2,615.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 44.7 | 427.4 | -382.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,059.3 | 2,986.8 | -1,927.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.1 | 378.0 | -304.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Brookings, SD to Rapid City, SD?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookings or Rapid City safer?
Brookings is safer with a total crime rate of 1,266 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookings has a violent crime rate of 89.3 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Brookings has lower violent crime.
About Brookings, SD
Brookings, South Dakota, home to South Dakota State University, is a plains community near the Minnesota border. Its population of around 24,000 is largely influenced by the university's students and faculty. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 24,638, Brookings has a total crime rate of 1,266.3 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.