Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Sturgis.
| Metric | Sturgis | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 | +8% |
| Groceries | $422 | $388 | +9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $288 | -38% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $305 | -18% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $2,311 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aberdeen offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Sturgis | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Sturgis.
Aberdeen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sturgis | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 1.70% |
| 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.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sturgis
#22South 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
Aberdeen
#68South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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