Elevation
Rapid City elevation
Rapid City, South Dakota is 3,241 feet (988 meters) above sea level.
What 3,241 feet means in Rapid City
Among the 200 cities on this site, Rapid City is higher than most. At 3,241 ft the thinner air is not something most people notice day to day.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Rapid City a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 26.58 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg. See today’s live barometric pressure in Rapid City.
Cooking. Water boils at about 206 °F (96.7 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact elevation where you are standing, use What is my elevation?
Elevation of places near Rapid City
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne, WY | 6,089 | 1,856 | 219 mi |
| Fort Collins, CO | 5,003 | 1,525 | 259 mi |
| Estes Park, CO | 7,546 | 2,300 | 281 mi |
| Billings, MT | 3,123 | 952 | 283 mi |
| Boulder, CO | 5,328 | 1,624 | 300 mi |
| Steamboat Springs, CO | 6,732 | 2,052 | 309 mi |
| Denver, CO | 5,279 | 1,609 | 313 mi |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 1,470 | 448 | 326 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation of Rapid City?
Rapid City, South Dakota is about 3,241 feet (988 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Rapid City because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 3,241 ft is about 26.58 inHg (900 hPa), 89% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 89% as much oxygen as at sea level. Live barometric pressure in Rapid City.
At what temperature does water boil in Rapid City?
About 206 °F (96.7 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.