City Comparison
Madison vs Sturgis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Sturgis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% lower compared to Sturgis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
43% lower than Sturgis's.
| Metric | Madison | Sturgis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $1,350 | -43% |
| Groceries | $0 | $422 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $2,322 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 88% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$30,960 vs $55,000 in Sturgis.
| Metric | Madison | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $34,935 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $54,404 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 47.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 22.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Sturgis.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 3.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sturgis is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 6,899 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 2.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with average rent significantly lower than the national average.
Low violent crime rate, making it a safe place to live with a 'A' safety grade.
Short average commute time of 11.4 minutes, allowing for more personal time.
Strong presence of educational institutions like Dakota State University, contributing to a youthful atmosphere.
Generally lower median property values compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with an 'Exceptionally Drivable' score and limited transit reach.
Walkability is moderate, with a score of 50/100, indicating that most daily errands would require a vehicle.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Limited major retail and entertainment options within the city, requiring travel to larger centers like Sioux Falls.
The job market has seen a slight decline in employment in recent years.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#31South Dakota, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$774
Avg Salary
$65,593
Cost Index
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
4.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
47.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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
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