Is Rapid City or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sioux Falls is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 14/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 24% lower. Rapid City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sioux Falls has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Sioux Falls is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rapid City | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.0 | 3,442.0 | +1,074.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 723.8 | 526.7 | +197.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 6.6 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 135.9 | 28.0 | +107.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 103.8 | 47.4 | +56.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.1 | 444.7 | +28.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,792.1 | 2,915.2 | +876.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.4 | 303.0 | +124.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,986.8 | 2,174.7 | +812.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.0 | 437.6 | -59.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City or Sioux Falls safer?
Sioux Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 723.8 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Sioux Falls has lower violent crime.
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.
About Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.