Overall Score
Rapid City is the second most populous city in South Dakota and the county seat of Pennington County. Named for Rapid Creek, where the settlement originated, it is located in the western part of the state, on the eastern slope of the Black Hills Mountain Range. The population was 67,956 according to the 2010 census.
Known as “Gateway to the Black Hills” because of its location and “City of Presidents” because of the life-size bronze presidential statues located in the center of town, Rapid City. is divided by a low mountain range separating the western and eastern parts of town. Ellsworth Air Force Base is located on the outskirts of the city. Camp Rapid City, part of the South Dakota Army National Guard, is located on the west side of town.
Rapid City is home to such popular attractions as Art Alley, Dinosaur Park, Presidents City Walking Tour, Chapel in the Hills, Fairy Tale Island, Main Street Square, and others. The historic Wild West town of Deadwood is nearby. Neighboring Black Hills is home to such tourist attractions as Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, the museum at the Black Hills Geological Research Institute, and to the east of the city is Badlands National Park.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 23 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 73,000 people
- GDP: $57,808 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 115V60Hz
- Internet: 39 Mbps
- Best wireless: Verizon
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: How much should I tip at a restaurant? A gratuity of 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with 25 per cent given for topnotch service. Servers in America work hard for the money – they’re generally friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for customers.
- Apartment listings:
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Amazon
- Best hospital: Childrens Care Hospital & School
- Best intl air carrier: United
- Monthly costs for expat: $2100
- Monthly costs for family: $4500
- Monthly costs for local: $1300
- Meal: $10
- Small Cola: $1.7
- Beer 1 Pint: $5
- Coffee: $4
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