Performance
Score Breakdown
Harrisburg
Sturgis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Harrisburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Sturgis.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Sturgis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,265 | $1,350 | -6% |
| Groceries | $400 | $422 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,115 | $2,322 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Harrisburg offers 75% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Harrisburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Harrisburg is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Sturgis.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,016 | $34,935 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,412 idx | 37,973 idx |
| Household Income | $108,724 | $54,404 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Harrisburg | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 3.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Harrisburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Harrisburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Harrisburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,791 | 6,899 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 31.1 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 0.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Harrisburg
Advantages
Harrisburg boasts a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
The city has a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
Harrisburg is experiencing rapid population growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income of $108,724 is well above the national average, reflecting strong economic opportunity.
The average commute time of 19 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Harrisburg is slightly higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
Public transportation options are limited or non-existent, leading to high car dependency.
Walkability scores are low or unavailable, indicating a less pedestrian-friendly environment.
Rapid population growth can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
There are no major hospitals directly within Harrisburg, requiring travel to Sioux Falls for comprehensive healthcare.
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.
Harrisburg
#14South Dakota, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,265
Avg Salary
$61,016
Cost Index
101
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
0.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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
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