City Comparison
Vermillion vs Tea
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tea scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vermillion
Tea
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vermillion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Tea.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vermillion's average rent is
37% lower than Tea's.
| Metric | Vermillion | Tea | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,350 | -37% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $170 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,275 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 16% 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 Vermillion is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Tea.
| Metric | Vermillion | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $53,200 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Tea sees 2.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vermillion | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 49.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 13.60°F | 10.40°F |
| Rainfall | 31.10 in | 29.80 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 22.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 269 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vermillion has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tea.
Vermillion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vermillion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vermillion | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vermillion is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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 | Vermillion | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,718 | 6,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 24.5 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vermillion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and students.
The presence of the University of South Dakota enriches the community with cultural events, arts, and continuing education.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying daily life.
Strong local healthcare access anchored by Sanford Vermillion medical facilities.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall, typical of the Northern Plains region.
Limited public transit options mean residents almost entirely rely on personal vehicles.
Local job market options can be narrower outside of education, healthcare, and public administration sectors.
Distance from major metropolitan areas requires significant travel for major flight hubs or specialized entertainment.
Rental market can experience seasonal tightness driven by the university academic calendar.
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.
Vermillion
#106South Dakota, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
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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