Alaska to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 2,505 mile interstate move from Alaska to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alaska vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like King Crab vs Chislic), real estate & housing (cabin/log vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to King Crab and Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Alaska
- Rent in South Dakota is 31.66% more affordable than in Alaska
- Our top recommended Alaska to South Dakota movers is Dial-A-Move Inc.
Alaska to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to South Dakota
- Long, harsh winters
- Remote locations
- High cost of living
- Limited roadways
- Fewer metropolitan areas
- Milder winters
- Central access
- Affordable lifestyle
- Extensive highways
- Growing cities
- Fewer mountain views
- Less varied wildlife
- Fewer cultural experiences
- Limited adventure options
- No aurora borealis
- Scenic landscapes
- Wildlife diversity
- Unique local culture
- Epic adventure sports
- Northern lights
Pros of moving from Alaska to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to South Dakota with central access
- Swap the high cost of living in Alaska for an affordable lifestyle in South Dakota
- Get ready for extensive highways in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Alaska to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in Alaska to live with fewer mountain views in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of wildlife diversity and have to settle with the con of less varied wildlife
- Time to bid farewell to unique local culture and get used to fewer cultural experiences in South Dakota
- Swap epic adventure sports for limited adventure options
Alaska vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Salmon | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Reindeer Hot Dog | Indian Taco |
Most popular vegan food | Kelp Salsa | Wild Rice Bowl |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alaska to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic King Crab of Alaska for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Alaska rave about their flavorful Salmon and sumptuous Reindeer Hot Dog, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kelp Salsa they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Bowl of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alaska eateries like The Alaska Fish House, Simon & Seafort's, and Glacier Brewhouse. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Cattleman's Steakhouse, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minervas.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alaska. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Alaska. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alaska and South Dakota
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cabin/Log | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural scenery, Privacy | Community, Affordability |
- The Cabin/Log architecture that Alaska is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Alaska's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery and privacy, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like community and affordability.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Alaska.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Alaska.
- South Dakota has more of an urban feel than Alaska.
- South Dakota housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Alaska, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Alaskaβs $354,563.
- Over the prior 9 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 78% compared to a 34% increase in Alaska.
- Rent in South Dakota is 31.66% more affordable than in Alaska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alaska and South Dakota
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/40Β°F | 85Β°F/60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 20Β°F/-10Β°F | 30Β°F/10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 45" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alaska to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 47% more sunshine days than Alaska.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alaska.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 25 degrees warmer than in Alaska.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Alaska.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Alaska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alaska and South Dakota
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.2% | 1.3% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 1.7% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Mining, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- {income_comparison}
- {coli_comparison}
- {income_tax_message}
- The affluence in {to_city} is {to_affluence} compared to {from_affluence} in {from_city}
- The poverty level is {to_poverty} in {to_city} compared to {from_poverty} in {from_city}
- In terms of homelessness, it is {from_homelessness} in {from_city} and {to_homelessness} in {to_city}
Political and Religious Climate in Alaska vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative, mixed | Strongly conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican, with independent influence | Dominantly Republican in local and state government |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, significant Lutheran and Catholic populations |
- Alaska tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with significant Lutheran and Catholic populations
- Alaska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to South Dakota
Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Scenic Park Elementary (Anchorage) | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak) | George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 High Schools | West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage) | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Dakota Christian School (Corsica) |
Top 3 School Districts | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Watertown School District |
Top Alaska to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alaska to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.