City Comparison
Tea vs Aberdeen
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tea
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tea is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Tea | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 | +8% |
| Groceries | $410 | $388 | +6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $288 | -41% |
| Transport | $115 | $80 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $305 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,311 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 65% 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 $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Tea | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $64,405 |
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 | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Tea.
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 | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aberdeen is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Tea.
From a growth perspective, Tea is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tea | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,500 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.50% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 1.70% |
| 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
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
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
Aberdeen
#355South Dakota, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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