City Comparison
Sturgis vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sturgis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sturgis's average rent is
15% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Sturgis | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,178 | +15% |
| Groceries | $422 | $400 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $2,723 | -91% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $4,616 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 55% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Sturgis | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sturgis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Sturgis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sturgis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sturgis | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sturgis
Advantages
The cost of living in Sturgis is 8% less expensive than the national average.
Housing costs in Sturgis are more affordable than the national average.
Sturgis has an excellent Livability Score of 75/100.
The median home sale price increased by 3.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital has a 75% patient recommendation rate.
Drawbacks
Sturgis's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.33%.
Crime rates in Sturgis are 2% higher than the South Dakota average.
Public transit options are very limited, with a transit score of 1/10.
Healthcare costs in Sturgis are less affordable than the U.S. average.
The median individual income in Sturgis ($35,129 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sturgis
#75South Dakota, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$34,935
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
3.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
75
Business
65
Albuquerque
#132New Mexico, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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