Performance
Score Breakdown
Rapid City
Sturgis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Rapid City.
| Metric | Rapid City | Sturgis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,350 | -1% |
| Groceries | $340 | $422 | -19% |
| Utilities | $285 | $180 | +58% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $366 | $250 | +46% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $2,322 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rapid City offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rapid City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rapid City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $55,000 in Sturgis.
| Metric | Rapid City | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,200 | $34,935 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,667 idx | 37,973 idx |
| Household Income | $70,870 | $54,404 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rapid City | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 59.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Rapid City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rapid City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rapid City | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 3.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rapid City is the larger city
— approximately 12.8x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Rapid City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rapid City | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,067 | 6,899 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.83% | % |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 1.90% | 2.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rapid City
Advantages
Rapid City experienced a significant population growth rate of 1.83% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a thriving community.
The unemployment rate in Rapid City is exceptionally low at 1.9% in 2026, well below the national average, suggesting a strong job market.
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2025, highlighting high standards of patient safety.
The cost of living in Rapid City is slightly lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 99, making it a relatively affordable place to reside.
Violent crime in Rapid City has seen a 26% decrease since 2020, reaching a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improved public safety efforts.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements, Rapid City's overall crime rate of 46 per one thousand residents is considered high compared to many communities nationwide.
Demand for housing has at times outpaced supply, contributing to rising costs and potential challenges for new residents.
Grocery prices in Rapid City are slightly higher than the national average, impacting everyday household expenses.
Some tourism-affiliated sectors in Rapid City offer lower-than-average wages, which can affect the overall earning potential for a segment of the workforce.
The city exhibits a medium car dependency, with limited public transit options and most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.
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.
Rapid City
#21South Dakota, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$46,200
Cost Index
99
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.83%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rapid City and Sturgis.
Open Cost Calculator