Hawaii to South Dakota Moving Guide
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Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a interstate move from Hawaii to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Hawaii vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Poke vs Chislic), real estate & housing (plantation, modern vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Poke and Kalua Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in Hawaii
- Rent in South Dakota is 59.40% more affordable than in Hawaii
- Our top recommended Hawaii to South Dakota movers is Dial-A-Move Inc.

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

Dial-A-Move Inc.
Best moving company overall for Hawaii to South Dakota

Two Men and a Truck

Ewa Moving Co.
Hawaii to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Hawaii to South Dakota
- High cost of living
- Isolated location
- Limited job market
- Traffic congestion
- Affordable housing
- Central mainland location
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Less crowded roads
- Scarce coastal access
- Harsh winters
- Fewer cultural events
- More open plains
- Beautiful beaches
- Tropical climate
- Rich cultural heritage
- Lush landscapes
Pros of moving from Hawaii to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from the isolated location and moving to South Dakota with a central mainland location
- Swap the limited job market of Hawaii for diverse employment opportunities in South Dakota
- Get ready for less crowded roads in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Hawaii to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful beaches in Hawaii to live with scarce coastal access in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a tropical climate and have to settle with the con of harsh winters
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural heritage and get used to fewer cultural events in South Dakota
- Swap lush landscapes for more open plains
Hawaii vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Poke | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Kalua Pork | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Shave Ice | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Laulau (Vegetarian version) | Squash Soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Hawaii to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Hawaii for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Hawaii rave about their flavorful Kalua Pork and sumptuous Shave Ice, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Laulau (Vegetarian version) they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Squash Soup of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Hawaii eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Da Kitchen, and Leonard's Bakery. 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 Club Steakhouse, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Queen City Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Hawaii. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Hawaii. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Hawaii and South Dakota
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Plantation, Modern | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Lanai, Accessibility to beaches | Spacious land, Quiet neighborhoods, Proximity to parks |
- The Plantation and Modern architecture that Hawaii is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Hawaii's real estate listings that commonly reference views, lanais, and accessibility to beaches, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land, quiet neighborhoods, and proximity to parks.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Hawaii.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Hawaii.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Hawaii.
- South Dakota housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in Hawaii, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Hawaiiβs $858,106.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 38% increase in Hawaii.
- Rent in South Dakota is 59.40% more affordable than in Hawaii.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Hawaii and South Dakota
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Volcanoes, Tsunamis | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 70Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 78Β°F / 63Β°F | 30Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 63" | 20-30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 30-60" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Hawaii to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Hawaii.
- South Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Hawaii.
- Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and tsunamis in Hawaii, 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 in Hawaii.
- The average winter lows are 53 degrees colder than they are in Hawaii.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 43 fewer inches of rain compared to Hawaii.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Hawaii and South Dakota
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $92,458 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 165.7 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 11% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.3% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture | Agriculture, Finance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Growing | Stable |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 25% less than those in Hawaii
- The COLI in South Dakota will be 43% lower than what you are used to living in Hawaii
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to that in Hawaii
- The poverty level is stable in South Dakota compared to that in Hawaii
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Hawaii and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Hawaii vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally Democratic-leaning in statewide and federal elections; legislature and most statewide offices are often held by Democrats; policy outlook tends to be more progressive. | Generally Republican-leaning in statewide and federal elections; legislature and most statewide offices are often held by Republicans; policy outlook tends to be more conservative. |
Local Politics | County-based governance (e.g., Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii counties); many local races are nonpartisan but lean progressive; common issues include housing affordability, land use, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and tourism management. | County and township governance; many local races are nonpartisan but lean conservative; common issues include agriculture and land management, water resources, infrastructure, property taxes, rural healthcare, and state-tribal government relations. |
Religion | Religiously diverse with a notable share of unaffiliated residents; Christian denominations are present alongside traditions such as Buddhism and Shinto; overall lower concentration of evangelical Protestant affiliation. | Predominantly Christian, with significant Protestant (including evangelical and mainline) and Catholic communities; generally higher church participation and a smaller unaffiliated share compared with the national average. |
- Hawaii tends to lean generally Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as generally Republican-leaning
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, with significant Protestant (including evangelical and mainline) and Catholic communities and generally higher church participation alongside a smaller unaffiliated share compared with the national average
- Hawaii's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse with a notable share of unaffiliated residents; Christian denominations are present alongside traditions such as Buddhism and Shinto and an overall lower concentration of evangelical Protestant affiliation
Education Guide When Moving from Hawaii to South Dakota
Comparison | Hawaii | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu Brigham Young University-Hawaii Laie Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu | University of South Dakota Vermillion South Dakota State University Brookings Augustana University Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Punahou School Honolulu Hale Kula Elementary Wahiawa Manoa Elementary School Honolulu | Challenge Center School Sioux Falls Hillcrest Elementary School Brookings Robert Frost Elementary School Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Punahou School Honolulu Kaimuki Middle School Honolulu Moanalua Middle School Honolulu | Patrick Henry Middle School Sioux Falls O'Gorman Junior High School Sioux Falls Whittier Middle School Sioux Falls |
Top 3 High School Schools | Punahou School Honolulu President Theodore Roosevelt High School Honolulu Mililani High School Mililani | O'Gorman High School Sioux Falls Stevens High School Rapid City Washington High School Sioux Falls |
Top 3 private high schools | Punahou School Honolulu St. Andrew's Schools Honolulu Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Honolulu | O'Gorman High School Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools Sioux Falls Rapid City Christian School Rapid City |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Punahou School Honolulu St. Andrew's Schools Honolulu Iolani School Honolulu | O'Gorman Catholic Schools Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools Sioux Falls Rapid City Christian School Rapid City |
Top 3 School Districts | Honolulu School District Hawaii Department of Education Maui School District | Sioux Falls School District Rapid City Area School District Harrisburg School District |