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Arkansas to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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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

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Humidity
  • Tornado threats
  • Hiking restrictions
  • Heavy mosquitoes
  • Rural roads
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Crisp air
  • Fewer tornadoes
  • Open landscapes
  • Fewer mosquitoes
  • Scenic drives

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Colder winters
  • Less diverse cuisine
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Higher cost of heating
  • Intense snowstorms
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • 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

ComparisonArkansasSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishChislic
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsBison
Most popular street food itemFried PicklesIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • Doe's Eat Place
  • South on Main
  • Minervas
  • Look's Marketplace
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
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 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

ComparisonArkansasSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchRanch, Split-level
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 listingLarge yards, proximity to natureEnergy 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 Arkansas’s $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

ComparisonArkansasSouth 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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 32Β°F30Β°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

ComparisonArkansasSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$55,432$69,728
Cost of Living Index90.594.1
State Income Tax5.9%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.63%1.22%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesRetail, Agriculture, ManufacturingRetail, Agriculture, Financial Services
AffluenceModerateAbove Average
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonArkansasSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsModerately conservativeConservative
ReligionChristian (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

ComparisonArkansasSouth 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 SchoolsBaker 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 SchoolsLisa 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 SchoolsHaas 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 schoolsPulaski 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsFayetteville 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,753300 ft3$5.84
1 Bedroom$2,607450 ft3$5.79
2 Bedrooms$4,307750 ft3$5.74
3 Bedrooms$6,2631100 ft3$5.69
4 Bedrooms$9,0291600 ft3$5.64
5+ Bedrooms$10,0681800 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.

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to South Dakota

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
Top Arkansas to South Dakota Routes

Little Rock to South Dakota