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Indiana to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Humidity
  • High property taxes
  • Flat landscape
  • Dense population
  • Allergy season
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Dry climate
  • Lower property taxes
  • Diverse terrain
  • Spacious living
  • Less pollen

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited entertainment
  • Fewer dining options
  • Sparse museum attractions
  • Quiet evenings
Indiana iconIndiana
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichChislic
Most popular meat dishBeef ManhattanPheasant
Most popular street food itemCorn DogsIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsBison Berry Jam
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • St. Elmo Steak House
    • Bluebeard
    • Milktooth
    • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
    • Minervas
    • Queen City Bakery
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 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

ComparisonIndianaSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial and CraftsmanRanch and 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, spacious backyardsEnergy 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 Indiana’s $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

ComparisonIndianaSouth 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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 19Β°F29Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4220-30
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2230-60
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$66,785$69,728
Cost of Living Index92.9594.1
State Income Tax3.23%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.87%1.22%
Avg. Sales Tax7%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareFinance, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateAdequate
PovertyNotableNoticeable
HomelessnessManageableLow
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural influencesRural-centric policies
ReligionChristian (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

ComparisonIndianaSouth 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 SchoolsSignature School
Evansville; Carmel Elementary
Carmel; Park Tudor
Indianapolis
Challenge Center
Sioux Falls; Fred Assam Elementary
Sioux Falls; Discovery Elementary
Sioux Falls
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWestlane 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 SchoolsSignature 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 schoolsCathedral 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 schoolsPark 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 DistrictsCarmel 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,722300 ft3$5.74
1 Bedroom$2,560450 ft3$5.69
2 Bedrooms$4,229750 ft3$5.64
3 Bedrooms$6,1481100 ft3$5.59
4 Bedrooms$8,8631600 ft3$5.54
5+ Bedrooms$9,8811800 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.

TOP PICK
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Indiana to South Dakota

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bulldogs Moving Co. featured image

Bulldogs Moving Co.

9.13/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10

Indianapolis to South Dakota

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