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Kentucky to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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Planning a 1,128 mile interstate move from Kentucky to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs low humidity), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in South Dakota is 9.07% more affordable than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to South Dakota movers is From Here to There

Kentucky to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to South Dakota

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • High humidity
  • Heavy traffic
  • Tornado risks
  • Less winter sports
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low humidity
  • Lighter traffic
  • Fewer tornadoes
  • Abundant winter sports

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Limited food options
  • Colder winters
  • No local bourbon
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Rich history
  • Diverse cuisine
  • Warmer winters
  • Renowned bourbon

Pros of moving from Kentucky to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to low humidity
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to South Dakota with lighter traffic
  • Swap the tornado risks of Kentucky for fewer tornadoes in South Dakota
  • Get ready for abundant winter sports in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Kentucky to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Kentucky to live with fewer historical sites in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle with the con of limited food options
  • Time to bid farewell to warmer winters and get used to colder winters in South Dakota
  • Swap renowned bourbon for no local bourbon

Kentucky vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckySouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenChislic
Most popular meat dishBurgooPheasant
Most popular street food itemHot Brown SandwichIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitWild Rice Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Clifford's Restaurant
  • Corbett's
  • 610 Magnolia
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 Kentucky to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Burger of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Clifford's Restaurant, Corbett's, and 610 Magnolia. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Senor Frijoles, Carnaval Brazilian Grill, and Minervas.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and South Dakota

ComparisonKentuckySouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, 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 listingSpacious yards, historic homesScenic views, family-friendly communities
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and historic homes, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and family-friendly communities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 9.07% more affordable than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckySouth 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, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 23Β°F30Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"20-30"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)11"30-40"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 9% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and South Dakota

ComparisonKentuckySouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$59,341$69,728
Cost of Living Index87.894.1
State Income Tax5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%1.32%
Avg. Sales Tax6%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Logistics, AgricultureFinance, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceModerateAbove Average
PovertySignificantLower
HomelessnessNoticeableLess Severe
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 18% more than those in Kentucky
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is above average compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is lower in South Dakota compared to significant poverty in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Kentucky and less severe in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. South Dakota

ComparisonKentuckySouth Dakota
Political Make-upMixed; leans RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsVaries by countyConservative in most localities
ReligionChristianity predominant, Baptist strong presenceChristianity predominant, with a strong Lutheran and Catholic presence
  • Kentucky tends to lean mixed and leans 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 predominantly Christianity, with a strong Lutheran and Catholic presence.
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a strong Baptist presence.

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to South Dakota

ComparisonKentuckySouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
Lexington
University of Louisville
Louisville
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green
South Dakota State University
Brookings
University of South Dakota
Vermillion
Black Hills State University
Spearfish
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsGreathouse/Shryock Traditional
Louisville
Rosa Parks Elementary
Lexington
Beechwood Elementary
Fort Mitchell
Fred Assam Elementary
Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary
Sioux Falls
Challenge Center
Sioux Falls
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarret Traditional Middle
Louisville
Beechwood High School (7-12)
Fort Mitchell
Kentucky Country Day School (K-12)
Louisville
Edison Middle School
Sioux Falls
Patrick Henry Middle School
Sioux Falls
Whittier Middle School
Sioux Falls
Top 3 High SchoolsDuPont Manual High
Louisville
Beechwood High
Fort Mitchell
North Oldham High
Goshen
Lincoln High School
Sioux Falls
Roosevelt High School
Sioux Falls
Brookings High School
Brookings
Top 3 private high schoolsSacred Heart Academy
Louisville
St. Xavier High School
Louisville
Lexington Catholic High School
Lexington
O'Gorman High School
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Sioux Falls
Roncalli High School
Aberdeen
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsKentucky Country Day School
Louisville
Sayre School
Lexington
The Lexington School
Lexington
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Sioux Falls
Aberdeen Christian School
Aberdeen
Great Plains Lutheran High School
Watertown
Top 3 School DistrictsFayette County Public Schools
Lexington
Jefferson County Public Schools
Louisville
Kenton County School District
Fort Wright
Sioux Falls School District
Sioux Falls
Brookings School District
Brookings
Rapid City Area School District
Rapid City

How Much Do Kentucky to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,128 miles from Kentucky 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,842300 ft3$6.14
1 Bedroom$2,740450 ft3$6.09
2 Bedrooms$4,530750 ft3$6.04
3 Bedrooms$6,5891100 ft3$5.99
4 Bedrooms$9,5041600 ft3$5.94
5+ Bedrooms$10,6021800 ft3$5.89

Top Kentucky to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

Best moving company overall for Kentucky to South Dakota

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Move Relocation Services featured image

Smooth Move Relocation Services

9.10/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
BG Home Movers featured image

BG Home Movers

8.96/10

Louisville to South Dakota

Lexington to South Dakota