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Maryland to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 1,450 mile interstate move from Maryland to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like traffic congestion vs less traffic), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Pit Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Maryland
  • Rent in South Dakota is 36.19% more affordable than in Maryland
  • Moving from Maryland to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Maryland to South Dakota movers is AT Movers

Maryland to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to South Dakota

ConsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Traffic congestion
  • High cost of living
  • Overcrowded cities
  • Hectic pace
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Less traffic
  • Affordable living
  • More space
  • Slower pace

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Limited diversity
  • Fewer higher education options
  • Fewer historical landmarks
  • Fewer culinary options
Maryland iconMaryland
  • Cultural diversity
  • Renowned universities
  • Rich history
  • Varied cuisine

Pros of moving from Maryland to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to traffic congestion and hello to less traffic
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to South Dakota with affordable living
  • Swap the overcrowded cities of Maryland for more space in South Dakota
  • Get ready for a slower pace in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Maryland to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Maryland to live with limited diversity in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of renowned universities and have to settle for the con of fewer higher education options
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in South Dakota
  • Swap varied cuisine for fewer culinary options

Maryland vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMarylandSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemCrab CakesChislic
Most popular meat dishPit BeefPheasant
Most popular street food itemSoft Shell Crab SandwichIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastWild Rice Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Faidley's Seafood
  • Charleston
  • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
  • Phillip's Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Maryland to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Bowl of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Faidley's Seafood, and Charleston. 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, Phillip's Avenue Diner, and Minervas.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and South Dakota

ComparisonMarylandSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonialRanch
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 listingWaterfront, Accessibility, Luxury FinishesSpacious Land, Privacy, Scenic Views
  • The Colonial architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront, accessibility, and luxury finishes, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land, privacy, and scenic views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Maryland.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Maryland’s $414,972.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 36.19% more affordable than in Maryland.

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

ComparisonMarylandSouth 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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87/6685/60
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44/2930/10
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.720-30
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.630-60
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maryland to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 7% more sunshine days than Maryland.
  • South Dakota has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maryland.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 2 degrees colder than in Maryland.
  • The average winter lows are 19 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 20.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and South Dakota

ComparisonMarylandSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$94,991$69,728
Cost of Living Index124.9594.1
State Income Tax2%-5.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.06%1.32%
Avg. Sales Tax6%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesBiotechnology, Aerospace, TourismAgriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 27% less than those in Maryland
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 25% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to high in Maryland
  • The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate in Maryland
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Maryland and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. South Dakota

ComparisonMarylandSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal on social issuesConservative, especially on fiscal & social policies
ReligionHighly diverse, Christianity predominantPrimarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence
  • Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Lutheran presence
  • Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly diverse with Christianity predominant

Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to South Dakota

ComparisonMarylandSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFulton Elementary (Fulton)
Waverly Elementary (Ellicott City)
High Bridge Elementary (Bowen)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda)
Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac)
Mount View Middle (Marriottsville)
Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWinston Churchill High (Potomac)
Walt Whitman High (Bethesda)
Poolesville High (Poolesville)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Top 3 private high schoolsGilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGlenelg Country School (Ellicott City)
Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
SiouxFalls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Dakota Christian School (Corsica)
Rapid City Christian School (Rapid City)
Top 3 School DistrictsHoward County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Sioux Falls School District
Brandon Valley School District
Harrisburg School District

How Much Do Maryland to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,450 miles from Maryland to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,025300 ft3$6.75
1 Bedroom$3,014450 ft3$6.70
2 Bedrooms$4,986750 ft3$6.65
3 Bedrooms$7,2581100 ft3$6.60
4 Bedrooms$10,4771600 ft3$6.55
5+ Bedrooms$11,6971800 ft3$6.50

Top Maryland to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Maryland to South Dakota

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
AB Secure Moving LLC. featured image

AB Secure Moving LLC.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
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