Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Tea, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.3% of gross income.
Tea rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Tea, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tea
View full rent data for Tea, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Tea, SD?
Median rent in Tea is $1,257 a month. A typical firefighter in South Dakota earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 27.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Tea?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Dakota (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Tea's current median rent is $1,257/mo, which leaves a $125/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Tea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Dakota works roughly 47.3 hours a month to cover Tea's median rent of $1,257.
Where is rent cheaper than Tea for a firefighter?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Rapid City ($1,256/mo), Vermillion ($1,250/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,247/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.