City Comparison
Sturgis vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sturgis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sturgis's average rent is
38% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Sturgis | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $2,184 | -38% |
| Groceries | $422 | $450 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $231 | -22% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $3,015 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sturgis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Sturgis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sturgis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Sturgis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sturgis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles 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 | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
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
Los Angeles
#157California, USA
42.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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