City Comparison
Tea vs Dell Rapids
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tea
Dell Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Tea | Dell Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $410 | $500 | -18% |
| Utilities | $170 | $200 | -15% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $300 | -23% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $1,150 | +98% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tea delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tea is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Dell Rapids.
| Metric | Tea | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,307 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 64,786 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $100,170 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tea runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tea comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tea sees 22.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tea | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tea has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Dell Rapids.
Tea scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tea leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tea | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tea is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Tea is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tea | Dell Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,500 | 3,815 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.50% | — |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 1.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tea
Advantages
Exceptional public safety with crime rates well below the national average per US Census and FBI reporting data
No state personal income tax in South Dakota, maximizing take-home pay
Rapid population and economic growth providing strong real estate appreciation opportunities per Zillow market trends
Proximity to Sioux Falls offering major employment centers and premier healthcare systems within a 15-minute drive
Highly rated local school district (Tea Area School District) known for strong academic and athletic programs
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options within the city limits
Rigorous winter weather featuring sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall events
Limited local entertainment and nightlife options within Tea proper, requiring trips to Sioux Falls
Rapidly rising home prices and rental rates driven by intense regional housing demand
Flat terrain with limited natural geographic variety or forested landscapes
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tea
#4South Dakota, USA
78.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
4.50%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
80
Business
75
Dell Rapids
#72South Dakota, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
Business
60
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