Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Tea, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Tea rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a paramedic salary
Paramedic and EMT base pay sits modestly below the US median household income and is often supplemented by overtime. At the national-average paramedic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,330 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Tea, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tea
View full rent data for Tea, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Tea, SD?
Median rent in Tea is $1,257 a month. A typical paramedic in South Dakota earns about $46,798 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Tea?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in South Dakota (~$46,798/yr) supports up to $1,170 a month in rent. Tea's current median rent is $1,257/mo, which is $87/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Tea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in South Dakota works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover Tea's median rent of $1,257.
Where is rent cheaper than Tea for a paramedic?
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 paramedic salary.