Lead, SD vs Sturgis, SD

Lead, SD and Sturgis, SD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Lead scores 73 while Sturgis scores 76 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lead is $844/month compared to $815/month in Sturgis — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sturgis has cheaper rent, Lead actually has lower median home values ($192,800 vs $236,400).

Median household income in Lead is $57,348 compared to $51,101 in Sturgis (+12.2%). Lead offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lead spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Sturgis.