Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Tea, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.6% of gross income.
Tea rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a bus driver salary
Transit bus driver pay sits near the US median household income, with municipal and unionized routes often paying more. At the national-average bus driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,296 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Tea, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tea
View full rent data for Tea, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Tea, SD?
Median rent in Tea is $1,237 a month. A typical bus driver in South Dakota earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 32.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Tea?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in South Dakota (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. Tea's current median rent is $1,237/mo, which is $97/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Tea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in South Dakota works roughly 56.4 hours a month to cover Tea's median rent of $1,237.
Where is rent cheaper than Tea for a bus driver?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Sioux Falls ($1,236/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,234/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,233/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.