City Comparison
Pierre vs Tea
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pierre
Tea
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pierre is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Tea.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pierre's average rent is
30% lower than Tea's.
| Metric | Pierre | Tea | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,350 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,275 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 9% lower 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 Pierre is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Tea.
| Metric | Pierre | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pierre comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tea sees 5.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pierre | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | 49.30°F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 12.90°F | 10.40°F |
| Rainfall | 27.10 in | 29.80 in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | 22.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 269 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pierre has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tea.
For walkability, Pierre leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pierre | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pierre is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Tea.
From a growth perspective, Tea is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tea has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pierre | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,000 | 6,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pierre
Advantages
State capital status provides exceptionally stable public sector and government employment opportunities.
Crime rates in Pierre are significantly lower than the national average, ensuring high community safety.
World-class hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are available directly along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to the national average and major coastal metropolitan markets.
Minimal traffic congestion leads to exceptionally short and stress-free daily commute times.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs can limit specialized shopping and entertainment choices.
Extreme winter weather conditions with cold temperatures and snowfall require careful preparation.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes personal vehicle ownership essentially mandatory.
Commercial flight options at the local airport can be limited and more expensive than larger regional hubs.
Limited local industry diversification outside of government, healthcare, and retail sectors.
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
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pierre
#97South Dakota, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
68
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
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