City Comparison
Spearfish vs Tea
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spearfish
Tea
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spearfish is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Tea.
Housing costs are a major driver: Spearfish's average rent is
15% lower than Tea's.
| Metric | Spearfish | Tea | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,350 | -15% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,030 | $2,275 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 13% 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 Spearfish is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Tea.
| Metric | Spearfish | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Spearfish sees 9.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spearfish | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | 49.30°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 16.50°F | 10.40°F |
| Rainfall | 22.50 in | 29.80 in |
| Snowfall | 31.90 in | 22.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | 269 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spearfish has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tea.
For walkability, Spearfish leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spearfish | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spearfish is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x 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 | Spearfish | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,193 | 6,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spearfish
Advantages
Stunning natural setting with direct access to Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills recreation
Exceptionally low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety
Absence of state personal income tax in South Dakota
Home to Black Hills State University, bringing cultural events and educational opportunities
Over 270 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with limited geographic expansion space
Higher cost of living compared to the rural South Dakota average
Cold winter temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall
Limited public transportation options requiring car ownership
Nontrivial seasonal tourist traffic during peak summer months
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.
Spearfish
#70South Dakota, USA
69.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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