Box Elder, SD vs Tea, SD

Tea is moderately more affordable than Box Elder, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Box Elder scores 95 compared to 90 for Tea, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Box Elder can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Box Elder is $1,354/month compared to $1,113/month in Tea — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tea has cheaper rent, Box Elder actually has lower median home values ($271,800 vs $305,300).

Median household income in Box Elder is $73,698 compared to $104,643 in Tea (-29.6%). Tea offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Box Elder spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Tea.