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Kansas to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 419 mile interstate move from Kansas to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Chislic), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs ranch, split foyer), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in South Dakota is 8.50% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to South Dakota movers is American Movers

Kansas to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to South Dakota

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Hot summers
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Higher population density
  • Flat terrains
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Rich nature landscapes
  • Less crowded towns
  • Diverse topography

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited urban amenities
  • Lower job diversity
  • Few large cities
Kansas iconKansas
  • Rich farming lands
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Booming job market
  • Larger cities

Pros of moving from Kansas to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to South Dakota with rich natural landscapes
  • Swap the higher population density of Kansas for less crowded towns in South Dakota
  • Get ready for diverse topography in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Kansas to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich farming lands in Kansas to live with harsh winters in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant cultural scene and have to settle for the con of limited urban amenities
  • Time to bid farewell to a booming job market and get used to lower job diversity in South Dakota
  • Swap larger cities for a few large cities

Kansas vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsChislic
Most popular meat dishBrisketPheasant
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • The Majestic Restaurant
  • The Roasterie Cafe
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 Kansas to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Majestic Restaurant, and The Roasterie Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Camino Grill and Bar, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Mad Mary's Steakhouse and Saloon.

When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and South Dakota

ComparisonKansasSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchRanch, Split Foyer
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 listingSpacious yards, BasementsViews, Outdoor spaces
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split Foyer architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and basements, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like views and outdoor spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • South Dakota has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 8.50% more expensive than in Kansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and South Dakota

ComparisonKansasSouth 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, floodsBlizzards, floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F30Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28"-32"20"-30"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)18"30"-60"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • South Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in South Dakota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 5 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. South Dakota

ComparisonKansasSouth Dakota
Political Make-upMixed, leaning conservativeConservatively inclined
Local PoliticsUrban areas more liberal, rural areas conservativeRural-dominated conservatism
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesPrimarily Christian, with Lutheran and Catholic majorities
  • Kansas tends to lean mixed, leaning conservative in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively inclined
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with Lutheran and Catholic majorities
  • Kansas's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to South Dakota

ComparisonKansasSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Black Hills State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowlark Elementary (Andover)
Corinth Elementary (Leawood)
Sunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLakewood Middle (Overland Park)
Leawood Middle (Leawood)
Prairie Star Middle (Leawood)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Dakota Valley Middle (North Sioux City)
Yankton Middle School (Yankton)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBlue Valley North High (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village)
Olathe North High (Olathe)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence)
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita)
The Independent School (Wichita)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)
Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen)
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District (Overland Park)
DeSoto School District
Shawnee Mission School District
Sioux Falls School District
Brandon Valley School District
Harrisburg School District

How Much Do Kansas to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 419 miles from Kansas to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mike's Moving Pros
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,440300 ft3$4.80
1 Bedroom$2,138450 ft3$4.75
2 Bedrooms$3,525750 ft3$4.70
3 Bedrooms$5,1151100 ft3$4.65
4 Bedrooms$7,3601600 ft3$4.60
5+ Bedrooms$8,1901800 ft3$4.55

Top Kansas to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
American Movers featured image

American Movers

Best moving company overall for Kansas to South Dakota

9.03/10
RUNNER-UP
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
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