Performance
Score Breakdown
Sturgis
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sturgis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sturgis's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Sturgis | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $422 | $742 | -43% |
| Utilities | $180 | $234 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $357 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $130 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,322 | $2,586 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 52% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sturgis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Sturgis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,935 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,973 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $54,404 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sturgis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sturgis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Sturgis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sturgis | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 3.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Sturgis 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 | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,899 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
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
Akron
#127Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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