Indiana to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 916 mile interstate move from Indiana to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial and craftsman 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 Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef Manhattan, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in South Dakota is 11.78% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to South Dakota movers is MVM Moving & Storage
Indiana to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to South Dakota
- Humidity
- High property taxes
- Flat landscape
- Dense population
- Allergy season
- Dry climate
- Lower property taxes
- Diverse terrain
- Spacious living
- Less pollen
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited entertainment
- Fewer dining options
- Sparse museum attractions
- Quiet evenings
- Thriving arts scene
- Urban amenities
- Variety of restaurants
- Access to museums
- Diverse nightlife
Pros of moving from Indiana to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to a dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to South Dakota with lower property taxes
- Swap the flat landscape of Indiana for diverse terrain in South Dakota
- Get ready for spacious living in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Indiana to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a thriving arts scene in Indiana to live with fewer cultural events in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of urban amenities and have to settle for the con of limited entertainment
- Time to bid farewell to a variety of restaurants and get used to fewer dining options in South Dakota
- Swap access to museums for sparse museum attractions
Indiana vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Beef Manhattan | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Corn Dogs | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Bison Berry Jam |
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 Indiana to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef Manhattan and sumptuous Corn Dogs, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Morel Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Bison Berry Jam of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Carnaval Brazilian Grill, Minervas, and Queen City Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and South Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Craftsman | Ranch and Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, spacious backyards | Energy efficiency, scenic views |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and spacious backyards, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Dakota is less walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
- South Dakota housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in South Dakota is 11.78% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and South Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 19Β°F | 29Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 20-30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 30-60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 15% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, 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 Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than those in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and South Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Finance, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Adequate |
Poverty | Notable | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Manageable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 4% more than in Indiana
- The COLI in South Dakota will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is adequate compared to moderate in Indiana
- The poverty level is noticeable in South Dakota compared to notable in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Indiana and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural influences | Rural-centric policies |
Religion | Christian (with strong Protestant presence) | Christian (predominantly Protestant) |
- Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as Christian (predominantly Protestant)
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (with a strong Protestant presence)
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to South Dakota
Comparison | Indiana | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University University of Notre Dame | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Signature School Evansville; Carmel Elementary Carmel; Park Tudor Indianapolis | Challenge Center Sioux Falls; Fred Assam Elementary Sioux Falls; Discovery Elementary Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Westlane Middle School Indianapolis; Fall Creek Junior High Fishers; Sidener Academy Indianapolis | George S. Mickelson Middle School Brookings; Patrick Henry Middle School Sioux Falls; Whittier Middle School Sioux Falls |
Top 3 High Schools | Signature School Evansville; Carmel High Carmel; Homestead High Fort Wayne | Lincoln High Sioux Falls; Roosevelt High Sioux Falls; Washington High Sioux Falls |
Top 3 private high schools | Cathedral High School Indianapolis; Park Tudor Indianapolis; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis | O'Gorman High School Sioux Falls; Aberdeen Roncalli High School Aberdeen; Sioux Falls Christian Sioux Falls |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Park Tudor Indianapolis; Culver Academies Culver; Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown | Sioux Falls Christian Sioux Falls; Great Plains Lutheran High School Watertown; Mitchell Christian School Mitchell |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel; Park Tudor School District Indianapolis; Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville | Sioux Falls School District Sioux Falls; Brandon Valley School District Brandon; Harrisburg School District Harrisburg |
How Much Do Indiana to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 916 miles from Indiana to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,722 | 300 ft3 | $5.74 |
1 Bedroom | $2,560 | 450 ft3 | $5.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,229 | 750 ft3 | $5.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,148 | 1100 ft3 | $5.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,863 | 1600 ft3 | $5.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,881 | 1800 ft3 | $5.49 |
Top Indiana to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

MVM Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Indiana to South Dakota