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Delaware to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 1,516 mile interstate move from Delaware to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited open spaces vs spacious landscapes), food & health (like Scrapple vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs ranch, split foyer), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Scrapple and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison Steaks
  • South Dakota housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Delaware
  • Rent in South Dakota is 35.68% more affordable than in Delaware
  • Moving from Delaware to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Delaware to South Dakota movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal

Delaware to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to South Dakota

ConsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Limited open spaces
  • High population density
  • Traffic congestion
  • Expensive housing
  • Higher taxes
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Spacious landscapes
  • Low population density
  • Less traffic
  • Affordable housing
  • Lower taxes

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Inland location
  • Harsh winters
  • Less urban development
  • Less diversity
  • Fewer historical sites
Delaware iconDelaware
  • Coastal living
  • Mild winters
  • Proximity to major cities
  • Diverse culture
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from Delaware to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to limited open spaces and hello to spacious landscapes
  • Look forward to moving away from high population density and moving to South Dakota with low population density
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Delaware for less traffic in South Dakota
  • Get ready for affordable housing in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Delaware to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal living in Delaware to live with an inland location in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to proximity to major cities and get used to less urban development in South Dakota
  • Swap diverse culture for less diversity

Delaware vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDelawareSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemScrappleChislic
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenBison Steaks
Most popular street food itemItalian IceIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodRoasted Vegetable Quinoa SaladWild Rice Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Deerfield
  • The Cultured Pearl
  • Matt’s Fish Camp
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Crawford's Bar & Grill
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 Delaware to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Italian Ice, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steaks and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Soup of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Deerfield, The Cultured Pearl, and Matt’s Fish Camp. 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, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Crawford's Bar & Grill.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and South Dakota

ComparisonDelawareSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchRanch, Split Foyer
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 listingSpacious gardens, Modern kitchensBig yards, Natural landscapes
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split Foyer architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious gardens and modern kitchens, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like big yards and natural landscapes.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Delaware.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Delaware.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Delaware.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Delaware’s $385,745.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 35.68% more affordable than in Delaware.

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

ComparisonDelawareSouth 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 DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersTornadoes, Blizzard
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86/6685/60
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45/2832/13
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4520-30
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2030-60
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 14% more sunshine days than Delaware.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Delaware.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 1 degree colder than in Delaware.
  • The average winter lows are 15 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and South Dakota

ComparisonDelawareSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$82,174$69,728
Cost of Living Index102.4594.1
State Income Tax6.6%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%1.32%
Avg. Sales Tax0%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, AgricultureAgriculture, Tourism, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 15% less than those in Delaware
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Delaware
  • The poverty level is moderate in South Dakota compared to low in Delaware
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. South Dakota

ComparisonDelawareSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasConservative across most of the state
ReligionChristianity (predominantly), with diverse religious communities in urban areasPrimarily Christianity, with a higher concentration of Lutherans
  • Delaware 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 primarily Christianity, with a higher concentration of Lutherans
  • Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, predominantly with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to South Dakota

ComparisonDelawareSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Delaware
Wilmington University
Delaware State University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Black Hills State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBrandywine Springs School
Newark Charter School
North Star Elementary
R.F. Pettigrew Elementary
John Harris Elementary
Discovery Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsH.B. Dupont Middle School
Newark Charter School
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
George S. Mickelson Middle School
Patrick Henry Middle School
Whittier Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsCharter School of Wilmington
Newark High School
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Roosevelt High School
Lincoln High School
Washington High School
Top 3 private high schoolsTower Hill School
Wilmington Friends School
The Tatnall School
O'Gorman High School
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Rapid City Christian School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Tatnall School
Tower Hill School
Wilmington Friends School
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Rapid City Christian School
Great Plains Lutheran High School
Top 3 School DistrictsBrandywine School District
Christina School District
Red Clay Consolidated School District
Sioux Falls School District
Rapid City Area School District
Harrisburg School District

How Much Do Delaware to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,516 miles from Delaware 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 - $7,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Keep It - Moving & Labor
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,062300 ft3$6.87
1 Bedroom$3,070450 ft3$6.82
2 Bedrooms$5,080750 ft3$6.77
3 Bedrooms$7,3951100 ft3$6.72
4 Bedrooms$10,6771600 ft3$6.67
5+ Bedrooms$11,9221800 ft3$6.62

Top Delaware to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
SSW Moving & Junk Removal featured image

SSW Moving & Junk Removal

Best moving company overall for Delaware to South Dakota

9.08/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Keep It - Moving & Labor

Keep It - Moving & Labor

8.99/10
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
Top Delaware to South Dakota Routes

Wilmington to South Dakota