Movers

Georgia to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,488 mile interstate move from Georgia to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Georgia vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs drier climate), food & health (like Peach Cobbler vs Chislic), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial 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 Peach Cobbler and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison Steak
  • South Dakota housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Georgia
  • Rent in South Dakota is 34.43% more affordable than in Georgia
  • Moving from Georgia to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Georgia to South Dakota movers is Moving Etc

Georgia to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Georgia to South Dakota

ConsGeorgia iconGeorgia
  • High humidity
  • Heavy traffic
  • Higher cost of living
  • Hurricane threat
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Drier climate
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable housing
  • Low natural disasters

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Cold winters
  • Less diversity
  • Limited food variety
  • Quiet evenings
Georgia iconGeorgia
  • Warm winters
  • Diverse culture
  • Southern cuisine
  • Active nightlife

Pros of moving from Georgia to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a drier climate
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to South Dakota with less congestion
  • Swap the higher cost of living in Georgia for affordable housing in South Dakota
  • Get ready for low natural disasters in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Georgia to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in Georgia to live with cold winters in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to southern cuisine and get used to a limited food variety in South Dakota
  • Swap active nightlife for quiet evenings

Georgia vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemPeach CobblerChislic
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenBison Steak
Most popular street food itemPulled Pork SandwichIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Varsity
  • Mary Mac's Tea Room
  • Gunshow
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Carnaval Brazilian 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 Georgia to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Peach Cobbler of Georgia for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Georgia rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Pulled Pork Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens 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 Georgia eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and Gunshow. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and Carnaval Brazilian Grill.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Georgia and South Dakota

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, ColonialRanch, 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 listingHardwood floors, Granite countertopsSpacious backyards, Views of nature
  • The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Georgia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Georgia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and views of nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Georgia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Georgia.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Georgia.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Georgia, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Georgia’s $327,174.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 64% increase in Georgia.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 34.43% more affordable than in Georgia.

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

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth 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, TornadoesTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7185/60
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)52/3432/13
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5023
Annual Snowfall (Inches)142
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Georgia to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Georgia.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Georgia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 4 degrees cooler than in Georgia.
  • The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Georgia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Georgia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Georgia and South Dakota

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$72,837$69,728
Cost of Living Index93.3594.1
State Income Tax5.750.00
Avg. Property Tax0.931.22
Avg. Sales Tax7.04.5
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Real Estate, ServicesAgriculture, Mining, Retail
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 4% less than those in Georgia
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Georgia
  • 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 Georgia
  • The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate poverty in Georgia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Georgia and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Georgia vs. South Dakota

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth Dakota
Political Make-upSwing State, recently leaning DemocratRepublican Dominant
Local PoliticsMixture of urban liberal and rural conservative communitiesPredominantly conservative communities
ReligionChristianity dominant, diverse religious communitiesPrimarily Christian, less religious diversity
  • Georgia tends to lean swing State, recently leaning Democrat in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as Republican dominant
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with less religious diversity
  • Georgia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Georgia to South Dakota

ComparisonGeorgiaSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia State University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBrandon Elementary School (Atlanta)
Kittredge Magnet School (Atlanta)
Lake Windward Elementary School (Alpharetta)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsRiverwatch Middle School (Suwanee)
South Forsyth Middle School (Cumming)
Dickerson Middle School (Marietta)
Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Yankton Middle School (Yankton)
Top 3 High SchoolsNorthview High School (Johns Creek)
Walton High School (Marietta)
Lambert High School (Suwanee)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Westminster Schools (Atlanta)
Pace Academy (Atlanta)
The Lovett School (Atlanta)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAtlanta International School (Atlanta)
The Walker School (Marietta)
Woodward Academy (College Park)
Roncalli Catholic School System (Aberdeen)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Rapid City Christian School (Rapid City)
Top 3 School DistrictsFulton County Schools
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Cobb County School District
Sioux Falls School District
Rapid City Area School District
Brookings School District

How Much Do Georgia to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,488 miles from Georgia 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Atlanta Home Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,046300 ft3$6.82
1 Bedroom$3,047450 ft3$6.77
2 Bedrooms$5,040750 ft3$6.72
3 Bedrooms$7,3371100 ft3$6.67
4 Bedrooms$10,5921600 ft3$6.62
5+ Bedrooms$11,8261800 ft3$6.57

Top Georgia to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Moving Etc

Moving Etc

Best moving company overall for Georgia to South Dakota

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Atlanta Home Movers featured image

Atlanta Home Movers

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Page Relocation featured image

Page Relocation

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Georgia to South Dakota Routes

Atlanta to South Dakota

Augusta to South Dakota

    Columbus to South Dakota

      Macon to South Dakota