Arkansas to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 971 mile interstate move from Arkansas to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs crisp air), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Chislic), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison
- South Dakota housing costs are 47% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in South Dakota is 9.55% more affordable than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Arkansas to South Dakota movers is B2 Moving
Arkansas to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to South Dakota
- Humidity
- Tornado threats
- Hiking restrictions
- Heavy mosquitoes
- Rural roads
- Crisp air
- Fewer tornadoes
- Open landscapes
- Fewer mosquitoes
- Scenic drives
- Colder winters
- Less diverse cuisine
- Fewer historical sites
- Higher cost of heating
- Intense snowstorms
- Southern hospitality
- Renowned barbecue
- Rich history
- Affordable living
- Mild winters
Pros of moving from Arkansas to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to crisp air
- Look forward to moving away from tornado threats and moving to South Dakota with fewer tornadoes
- Swap the hiking restrictions of Arkansas for open landscapes in South Dakota
- Get ready for fewer mosquitoes in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Arkansas to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Arkansas to live with colder winters in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned barbecue and have to settle for the con of less diverse cuisine
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in South Dakota
- Swap affordable living for a higher cost of heating
Arkansas vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Bison |
Most popular street food item | Fried Pickles | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Lentil Stew |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 Arkansas to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Fried Pickles, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Doe's Eat Place, and South on Main. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Minervas, Look's Marketplace, and Phillips Avenue Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and South Dakota
Comparison | Arkansas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to nature | Energy efficiency, space for outdoor activities |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and space for outdoor activities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- South Dakota has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- South Dakota housing costs are 47% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in South Dakota is 9.55% more affordable than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and South Dakota
Comparison | Arkansas | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 32Β°F | 30Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 20-30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 30-40" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in South Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 7 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 22 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and South Dakota
Comparison | Arkansas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.63% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Retail, Agriculture, Financial Services |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 26% more than in Arkansas
- The COLI in South Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is above average compared to moderate in Arkansas
- The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arkansas and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Arkansas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderately conservative | Conservative |
Religion | Christian (Predominantly Baptist) | Christian (Predominantly Lutheran) |
- Arkansas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as Christian (predominantly Lutheran)
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (predominantly Baptist)
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to South Dakota
Comparison | Arkansas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Elementary - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Robert Frost Elementary - Sioux Falls Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North Middle - Sherwood McNair Middle - Fayetteville LISA Academy - Little Rock | George S. Mickelson Middle - Brookings Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls Vermillion Middle School - Vermillion |
Top 3 High School Schools | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Bentonville High School - Bentonville Rogers High School - Rogers | Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Washington High School - Sioux Falls |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Roncalli High School - Aberdeen |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Anthony School - Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock Subiaco Academy - Subiaco | Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown Aberdeen Christian School - Aberdeen |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayetteville School District Bentonville School District Rogers School District | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Harrisburg School District |
How Much Do Arkansas to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 971 miles from Arkansas to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,753 | 300 ft3 | $5.84 |
1 Bedroom | $2,607 | 450 ft3 | $5.79 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,307 | 750 ft3 | $5.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,263 | 1100 ft3 | $5.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,029 | 1600 ft3 | $5.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,068 | 1800 ft3 | $5.59 |
Top Arkansas to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.