Idaho to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 999 mile interstate move from Idaho to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Chislic), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs ranch and split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Prime Rib, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in South Dakota is 26.31% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to South Dakota movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to South Dakota
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Higher cost of living
- Heavy traffic areas
- Restricted entertainment
- Milder winters
- Growing job market
- Lower cost of living
- Less congestion
- Vibrant community events
- Fewer mountains
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer hiking trails
- Fewer industry options
- Limited local cuisine
- Beautiful landscapes
- Strong community vibe
- Outdoor recreation
- Agricultural opportunities
- Great local produce
Pros of moving from Idaho to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to South Dakota with a growing job market
- Swap the higher cost of living in Idaho for a lower cost of living in South Dakota
- Get ready for less congestion in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Idaho to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Idaho to live with fewer mountains in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a strong community vibe and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor recreation and get used to fewer hiking trails in South Dakota
- Swap agricultural opportunities for fewer industry options
Idaho vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Prime Rib | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Chili | Wild Rice Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Prime Rib and sumptuous Finger Steaks, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Salad of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Bitterroot, Duck Duck Goose, and Alavita. 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, Minervas, and Queen City Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and South Dakota
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | Ranch and Split-level |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, large lots | Proximity to parks, affordability |
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and large lots, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and affordability.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- South Dakota has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- South Dakota housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in South Dakota is 26.31% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and South Dakota
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 85°F / 60°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 35°F / 15°F | 30°F / 10°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12.2" | 24" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 39" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 4% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- South Dakota has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, 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 Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 11.8 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and South Dakota
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 6.925% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology | Agriculture, Health Care, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 4% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in South Dakota is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- Hooray, moving to South Dakota means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in South Dakota compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in statewide offices | Republican dominance in both state and Congressional representation |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a significant LDS presence | Primarily Christian, including Lutheran and Catholic communities |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, including Lutheran and Catholic communities
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to South Dakota
Comparison | Idaho | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Idaho Boise State University Idaho State University | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise) | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Harvey Dunn Elementary (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School (Boise) Lakes Magnet School (Coeur d'Alene) Fairmont Junior High School (Boise) | Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) Timberline High School (Boise) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) North Idaho Christian School (Hayden) | SFCS (Sioux Falls Christian Schools) (Sioux Falls) Rapid City Christian School (Rapid City) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise Independent School District Coeur d'Alene School District Meridian School District | Sioux Falls School District Rapid City Area Schools Watertown School District |
How Much Do Idaho to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 999 miles from Idaho to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,769 | 300 ft3 | $5.90 |
1 Bedroom | $2,631 | 450 ft3 | $5.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,347 | 750 ft3 | $5.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,321 | 1100 ft3 | $5.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,114 | 1600 ft3 | $5.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,163 | 1800 ft3 | $5.65 |
Top Idaho to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Idaho to South Dakota