Movers

Alaska to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Long, harsh winters
  • Remote locations
  • High cost of living
  • Limited roadways
  • Fewer metropolitan areas
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Milder winters
  • Central access
  • Affordable lifestyle
  • Extensive highways
  • Growing cities

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Fewer mountain views
  • Less varied wildlife
  • Fewer cultural experiences
  • Limited adventure options
  • No aurora borealis
Alaska iconAlaska
  • 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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemKing CrabChislic
Most popular meat dishSalmonPheasant
Most popular street food itemReindeer Hot DogIndian Taco
Most popular vegan foodKelp SalsaWild Rice Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Alaska Fish House
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Glacier Brewhouse
  • Cattleman's Steakhouse
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCabin/LogRanch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingNatural scenery, PrivacyCommunity, 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 Alaska’s $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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F/40Β°F85Β°F/60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)20Β°F/-10Β°F30Β°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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$88,121$69,728
Cost of Living Index132.694.1
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.2%1.3%
Avg. Sales Tax1.7%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesOil, Mining, TourismAgriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow
  • {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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean conservative, mixedStrongly conservative
Local PoliticsMix of Democratic and Republican, with independent influenceDominantly Republican in local and state government
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesPrimarily 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

ComparisonAlaskaSouth 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 SchoolsAurora 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 SchoolsMears 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 SchoolsWest 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 schoolsGrace 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 schoolsPacific 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 DistrictsAnchorage 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.

TOP PICK
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

Best moving company overall for Alaska to South Dakota

8.94/10
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
ALSO GREAT
The Moving Man featured image

The Moving Man

7.79/10
Top Alaska to South Dakota Routes

Anchorage to South Dakota