Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Tea, SD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.9% of gross income.
Tea rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Tea, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tea
View full rent data for Tea, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Tea, SD?
Median rent in Tea is $1,165 a month. A typical retail salesperson in South Dakota earns about $32,622 a year, which makes that rent 42.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Tea?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in South Dakota (~$32,622/yr) supports up to $816 a month in rent. Tea's current median rent is $1,165/mo, which is $349/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Tea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in South Dakota works roughly 74.3 hours a month to cover Tea's median rent of $1,165.
Where is rent cheaper than Tea for a retail salesperson?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Brookings ($1,163/mo), Brookings ($1,143/mo), Aberdeen ($1,098/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.