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Connecticut to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 1,602 mile interstate move from Connecticut to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and New Haven-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison Steak
  • South Dakota housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Connecticut
  • Rent in South Dakota is 40.31% more affordable than in Connecticut
  • Moving from Connecticut to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Connecticut to South Dakota movers is Smooth Move & Delivery

Connecticut to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to South Dakota

ConsConnecticut iconConnecticut
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Harsh winters
  • Dense population
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Less snowfall
  • More open spaces

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Landlocked state
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer restaurant options
Connecticut iconConnecticut
  • Rich history
  • Coastal scenery
  • Ample job opportunities
  • Diverse cuisine

Pros of moving from Connecticut to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to South Dakota with less congestion
  • Swap the harsh winters of Connecticut for less snowfall in South Dakota
  • Get ready for more open spaces in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Connecticut to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Connecticut to live with fewer historical sites in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of coastal scenery and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
  • Time to bid farewell to ample job opportunities and get used to a limited job market in South Dakota
  • Swap diverse cuisine for fewer restaurant options

Connecticut vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollChislic
Most popular meat dishNew Haven-style PizzaBison Steak
Most popular street food itemGrilled Cheese SandwichIndian Taco
Most popular vegan foodVegan Deli SandwichJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
  • Sally's Apizza
  • Louis' Lunch
  • Minervas
  • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Connecticut to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful New Haven-style Pizza and sumptuous Grilled Cheese Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Indian Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Deli Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Louis' Lunch. 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, Carnaval Brazilian Grill, and Phillips Avenue Diner.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and South Dakota

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonialRanch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingEasy access to public transportation, proximity to the coastQuiet neighborhoods, spacious backyards
  • The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference easy access to public transportation and proximity to the coast, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and spacious backyards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Connecticut.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Connecticut.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Connecticut.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Connecticut's $393,802.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 40.31% more affordable than in Connecticut.

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

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Winter StormsBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (°F)82°F / 62°F85°F / 60°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)35°F / 18°F30°F / 10°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"20-30"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)37"39"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Connecticut to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 5% more sunshine days than Connecticut.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Connecticut.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 3 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Connecticut.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and South Dakota

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$88,429$69,728
Cost of Living Index122.194.1
State Income Tax3-6.99%0%
Avg. Property Tax2.14%1.22%
Avg. Sales Tax6.35%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, InsuranceAgriculture, Tourism, Gambling
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 21% less than those in Connecticut
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Connecticut
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
  • The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate in Connecticut
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Connecticut and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. South Dakota

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive PoliciesConservative Policies
ReligionMore DiverseMore Homogenous
  • Connecticut tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as more homogenous
  • Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more diverse

Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to South Dakota

ComparisonConnecticutSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Yale University
University of Connecticut
Wesleyan University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsInternational School At Dundee (Greenwich)
Long Lots School (Westport)
North Mianus School (Greenwich)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern Middle School (Greenwich)
Bedford Middle School (Westport)
Central Middle School (Greenwich)
George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 High SchoolsStaples High School (Westport)
Greenwich High School (Greenwich)
Darien High School (Darien)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Brookings High School (Brookings)
Top 3 private high schoolsChoate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford)
The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville)
The Taft School (Watertown)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsKing School (Stamford)
The Greenwich Country Day School (Greenwich)
The Whitby School (Greenwich)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen)
Dakota Christian School (Corsica)
Top 3 School DistrictsWestport School District
Greenwich School District
Darien School District
Sioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Brandon Valley School District

How Much Do Connecticut to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,602 miles from Connecticut to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Extra Help Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,111300 ft3$7.04
1 Bedroom$3,144450 ft3$6.99
2 Bedrooms$5,202750 ft3$6.94
3 Bedrooms$7,5741100 ft3$6.89
4 Bedrooms$10,9371600 ft3$6.84
5+ Bedrooms$12,2141800 ft3$6.79

Top Connecticut to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Smooth Move & Delivery featured image

Smooth Move & Delivery

Best moving company overall for Connecticut to South Dakota

9.21/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Expert Movers & Storage Inc featured image

Expert Movers & Storage Inc

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Expert Movers, LLC featured image

Expert Movers, LLC

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Connecticut to South Dakota Routes

Bridgeport to South Dakota