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
#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
Los Angeles
#64California, USA
68.0 / 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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