City Comparison
Pierre vs Sturgis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pierre scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Sturgis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pierre is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Sturgis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pierre's average rent is
30% lower than Sturgis's.
| Metric | Pierre | Sturgis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,350 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $422 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,322 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pierre offers 66% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pierre delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pierre is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Sturgis.
| Metric | Pierre | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $34,935 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 37,973 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $54,404 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pierre runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pierre sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Sturgis.
Pierre scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pierre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pierre is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Sturgis.
From a growth perspective, Pierre 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 | Pierre | Sturgis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 6,899 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pierre
Advantages
State capital status provides exceptionally stable public sector and government employment opportunities.
Crime rates in Pierre are significantly lower than the national average, ensuring high community safety.
World-class hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are available directly along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to the national average and major coastal metropolitan markets.
Minimal traffic congestion leads to exceptionally short and stress-free daily commute times.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs can limit specialized shopping and entertainment choices.
Extreme winter weather conditions with cold temperatures and snowfall require careful preparation.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes personal vehicle ownership essentially mandatory.
Commercial flight options at the local airport can be limited and more expensive than larger regional hubs.
Limited local industry diversification outside of government, healthcare, and retail sectors.
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.
Pierre
#97South Dakota, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
Sturgis
#320South Dakota, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$34,935
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
1.0/100
Walkability
3.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
75
Business
65
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