City Comparison
Tea vs Harrisburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tea
Harrisburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Harrisburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Tea.
| Metric | Tea | Harrisburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,265 | +7% |
| Groceries | $410 | $400 | +3% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,115 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 5% 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 $55,000 in Harrisburg.
| Metric | Tea | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $61,016 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 60,412 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $108,724 |
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 | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Harrisburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Tea.
From a growth perspective, Tea is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Harrisburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tea | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,500 | 10,791 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.50% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 0.80% |
| 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
Harrisburg
Advantages
Harrisburg boasts a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
The city has a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
Harrisburg is experiencing rapid population growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income of $108,724 is well above the national average, reflecting strong economic opportunity.
The average commute time of 19 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Harrisburg is slightly higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
Public transportation options are limited or non-existent, leading to high car dependency.
Walkability scores are low or unavailable, indicating a less pedestrian-friendly environment.
Rapid population growth can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
There are no major hospitals directly within Harrisburg, requiring travel to Sioux Falls for comprehensive healthcare.
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
Harrisburg
#12South Dakota, USA
74.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,265
Avg Salary
$61,016
Cost Index
101
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
0.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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