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Colorado to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 573 mile interstate move from Colorado to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Chislic), real estate & housing (modern and mountain rustic vs prairie and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Colorado
  • Rent in South Dakota is 41.26% more affordable than in Colorado
  • Moving from Colorado to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Colorado to South Dakota movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Colorado to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to South Dakota

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Higher taxes
  • Tourist crowds
  • Rapid growth impacts
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic
  • Favorable tax climate
  • Fewer tourists
  • Slower pace

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Fewer natural attractions
  • Limited dining options
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Less outdoor recreation
  • Smaller cities
Colorado iconColorado
  • Scenic mountains
  • Diverse food scene
  • Strong job market
  • Active lifestyle
  • Vibrant cities

Pros of moving from Colorado to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to South Dakota with less traffic
  • Swap the higher taxes of Colorado for a favorable tax climate in South Dakota
  • Get ready for fewer tourists in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Colorado to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic mountains in Colorado to live with fewer natural attractions in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse food scene and have to settle for the con of limited dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to a strong job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in South Dakota
  • Swap an active lifestyle for less outdoor recreation

Colorado vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonColoradoSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersChislic
Most popular meat dishBison BurgersPheasant
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritosIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beast + Bottle
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Cattleman's Steakhouse and Fish Market
  • 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 Colorado to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burritos, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beast + Bottle, and Frasca Food and Wine. 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 and Fish Market, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minervas.

When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and South Dakota

ComparisonColoradoSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleModern and Mountain RusticPrairie and Ranch
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 listingViews, Open Floor PlansSpacious Land, Privacy
  • The Modern and Mountain Rustic architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Ranch architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference views and open floor plans, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land and privacy.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Dakota is less walkable than Colorado.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 41.26% more affordable than in Colorado.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and South Dakota

ComparisonColoradoSouth 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 DisastersWildfires, floodsTornadoes, blizzards
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 18Β°F30Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15.620.1
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6045
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
  • South Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is the same as Colorado.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 4.5 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and South Dakota

ComparisonColoradoSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$89,302$69,728
Cost of Living Index98.394.1
State Income Tax4.55%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.49%1.14%
Avg. Sales Tax7.65%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, AgricultureAgriculture, Manufacturing, Business Services
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 22% less than those in Colorado
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to high in Colorado
  • The poverty level is moderate in South Dakota compared to low in Colorado
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. South Dakota

ComparisonColoradoSouth Dakota
Political Make-upPurple, trending BlueRed
Local PoliticsMixed, urban areas more liberalConservative, with rural areas strongly influencing local politics
ReligionMix of religious and non-religious populationsPrimarily Protestant, significant Lutheran presence
  • Colorado tends to lean purple, trending Blue in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as red
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a significant Lutheran presence
  • Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of religious and non-religious populations

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to South Dakota

ComparisonColoradoSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSlavens K-8 School (Denver)
Cory Elementary School (Denver)
Zach Elementary School (Fort Collins)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Harvey Dunn Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Buchanan Elementary (Pierre)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsKinard Core Knowledge Middle School (Fort Collins)
Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder)
Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Memorial Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 High SchoolsCherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village)
Fairview High School (Boulder)
Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 private high schoolsKent Denver School (Englewood)
Colorado Academy (Denver)
Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsColorado Academy (Denver)
Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs)
Vail Mountain School (Vail)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoulder Valley School District
Cherry Creek School District
Douglas County School District
Sioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Yankton School District

How Much Do Colorado to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 573 miles from Colorado to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,527300 ft3$5.09
1 Bedroom$2,268450 ft3$5.04
2 Bedrooms$3,743750 ft3$4.99
3 Bedrooms$5,4351100 ft3$4.94
4 Bedrooms$7,8261600 ft3$4.89
5+ Bedrooms$8,7141800 ft3$4.84

Top Colorado to South Dakota Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Colorado to South Dakota

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Denver Door to Door Movers LLC featured image

Denver Door to Door Movers LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

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