Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% lower compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Sturgis | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,425 | -5% |
| Groceries | $422 | $442 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $323 | -44% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $3,089 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schenectady delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Sturgis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sturgis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schenectady is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady 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 | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
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.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sturgis
#28South 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
Schenectady
#68New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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