Illinois to South Dakota Moving Guide
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Updated September 25, 2026
Planning a 714 mile interstate move from Illinois to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza vs Chislic), real estate & housing, weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- Moving from Illinois to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500 see full breakdown
- Our top recommended Illinois to South Dakota movers is A1 Movers, Inc

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

A1 Movers, Inc
Best moving company overall for Illinois to South Dakota

Move-tastic!

2 Guys and a Trailer, Inc.
How Much Do Illinois to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 714 miles from Illinois to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
| HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,607 | 300 ft3 | $5.36 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,388 | 450 ft3 | $5.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,943 | 750 ft3 | $5.26 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,728 | 1100 ft3 | $5.21 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,252 | 1600 ft3 | $5.16 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,194 | 1800 ft3 | $5.11 |
Illinois to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to South Dakota
- High property taxes
- State income tax
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Costly toll roads
- Higher housing costs
- Humid summer heat
- Long commute times
- Crowded urban living
- Higher crime hotspots
- High sales taxes
- Expensive car insurance
- Vehicle emissions testing
- Limited mountain scenery
- Urban noise pollution
- Lower property taxes
- No state income tax
- Light traffic
- No toll roads
- Cheaper housing
- Less humid summers
- Shorter commutes
- More open space
- Lower crime rates
- Lower sales tax
- Cheaper car insurance
- No emissions testing
- Black Hills scenery
- Quieter communities
- Limited public transit
- Fewer amenities
- Fewer job options
- Fewer direct flights
- Far fewer museums
- Fewer dining choices
- No major league teams
- Lower average wages
- No Great Lakes shoreline
- Longer specialist waits
- Fewer major events
- Car dependent living
- Fewer degree programs
- Harsher winter blizzards
- Extensive public transit
- Big city amenities
- Diverse job market
- Major international airport
- World class museums
- Renowned dining scene
- Pro sports teams
- Higher average salaries
- Lake Michigan access
- Dense healthcare networks
- Frequent concerts
- Walkable neighborhoods
- Abundant universities
- Milder winter storms
Pros of moving from Illinois to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from state income tax and moving to South Dakota with no state income tax
- Swap the heavy traffic congestion of Illinois for light traffic in South Dakota
- Get ready for no toll roads in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Illinois to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from extensive public transit in Illinois to live with limited public transit in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of big city amenities and have to settle for the con of fewer amenities
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse job market and get used to fewer job options in South Dakota
- Swap a major international airport for fewer direct flights
Illinois vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | Illinois | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza | Chislic |
| Most popular meat dish | Italian Beef | Pheasant |
| Most popular street food item | Hot Dog | Indian Taco |
| Most popular vegan food | Chicago-style Vegan Pizza | Lentil Soup |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
| 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 Illinois to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Hot Dog, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago-style Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Soup of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Aurelio's Pizza, Portillo's, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Crawford's Bar & Grill, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minerva's.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.

