Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sturgis's average rent is
27% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Sturgis | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,860 | -27% |
| Groceries | $422 | $400 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $432 | -58% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $265 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $3,077 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 46% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Sturgis | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Sturgis.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Sturgis.
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 | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Juneau
Advantages
Juneau boasts a median household income of $101,661 (2020-2024), significantly higher than the national average.
The city offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, due to its location within the Tongass National Forest.
Juneau's unemployment rate was 3.5% in April 2026, indicating a healthy job market.
The tourism industry is a major economic driver, with record cruise passenger numbers in 2025.
Construction, healthcare, and transportation sectors are projected to see job growth in 2026.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Juneau is approximately 32.6% higher than the national average.
Housing costs are particularly high, being about 41.8% more expensive than the national average.
Juneau's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.49%.
Utilities are significantly more expensive, approximately 41.1% above national levels.
Healthcare costs, especially for long-term care, are very high, with assisted living at around $10,198 per month.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sturgis
#21South Dakota, USA
72.0 / 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
Juneau
#13Alaska, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
133
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
38.0/10
Walkability
21.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
80
Business
70
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