Cost of Living in Tea, SD

Population 6,339 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Tea sits on the smaller end of the South Dakota city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Tea sits roughly 7 miles southwest of Sioux Falls — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Sioux Falls' $271,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 85

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Tea

The median home value in Tea is $305,300 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,113/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,643/year is 40% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. South Dakota charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 58.0°F and lows of 36.6°F, with about 45.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Tea has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$305,300
0% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$214,445
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
15% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$598
1 BR
$702
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,213
4 BR
$1,391
Owner-occupied 79.3%
Renter-occupied 20.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,113
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,727/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.2 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.7%
Carpooled
2.9%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
16.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 6.1%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$104,643
40% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,177
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
61% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor Force Participation
88.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.1%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.7
Male median age 27.7
Female median age 32.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.0°F
Avg Low
36.6°F
Annual Precip
27.9"
Annual Snowfall
45.3"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273245597181858376614532
Low °F 91324364859636152382513
Precip" 0.600.831.603.003.864.233.253.342.732.361.220.83
Snow" 8.08.67.25.10.10.00.00.00.01.46.28.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,962
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tea, SD?

Tea has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Tea, SD?

The median gross rent in Tea is $1,113 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tea?

The median home value in Tea is $305,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tea?

The median household income in Tea is $104,643 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tea, SD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tea is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.

Is Tea, SD affordable?

Tea is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Tea?

Tea has average high temperatures of 58.0°F and average lows of 36.6°F. Annual precipitation is 27.9". Average annual snowfall is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Tea at a Glance

Population
6,339
Median Income
$104,643
Home Value
$305,300
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
58.0°F
Sales Tax
6.1%
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🗺️ County data for South Dakota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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