salaryRent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (79.7%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,960 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Dakota cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Dakota. It is number 14 of 19 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Tea?
Share of households by yearly income. 48.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tea
| Size | Tea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,135 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,035 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tea overall?
Everyday prices in South Dakota overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Tea, so the South Dakota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Tea
Life in Tea
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tea?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,087 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $351,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,110 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tea, SD?
Renting in Tea costs a median of about $1,349 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Dakota median is $1,271.
How much do I need to make to live in Tea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,960 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tea cheap or expensive?
Tea is rated Cheap: rent takes 12.5% of the typical household income of $129,570. It ranks 14th cheapest of 19 South Dakota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tea?
The median homeowner in Tea pays $4,166 a year in property taxes, about 1.19% of the median home value.
Is Tea more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in South Dakota are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Tea?
The median home value in Tea is $351,100, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
6,786 people live in Tea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.