Maine to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to South Dakota

ConsMaine

• Harsh winters
• High property taxes
• Expensive living costs
• Limited open land
• Tourist overload

ProsSouth Dakota

• Milder winters
• Lower property taxes
• Affordable living costs
• Ample open spaces
• Less tourist influx

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South Dakota

• Landlocked state
• Fewer historical sites
• Limited educational options
• Fewer seafood options
• Less diverse towns

Maine

• Coastal beauty
• Rich history
• Strong education system
• Seafood delicacies
• Charming small towns

Pros of moving from Maine to South Dakota

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to South Dakota with lower property taxes
• Swap the expensive living costs of Maine for affordable living costs in South Dakota
• Get ready for ample open spaces in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Maine to South Dakota

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Maine to live in a landlocked state in South Dakota
• You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical sites
• Time to bid farewell to the strong education system and get used to limited educational options in South Dakota
• Swap seafood delicacies for fewer seafood options

Maine vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Maine to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Cobbler they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dish of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Duckfat, and Fore Street. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Minervas, Carnaval Brazilian Grill, and Queen City Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and South Dakota

• The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split Foyer architecture typical of South Dakota.
• Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land and outdoor activities.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Maine.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Maine.
• South Dakota has more of an urban feel than Maine.
• South Dakota housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
• Rent in South Dakota is 34.47% more affordable than in Maine.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 8% more sunshine days than Maine.
• South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
• The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Maine.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 26 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and South Dakota

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 0% more than those in Maine
• The COLI in South Dakota will be 19% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
• Hooray, moving to South Dakota means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Maine
• The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate in Maine
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. South Dakota

• Maine tends to lean Democratic in recent statewide races with an independent streak and a split federal delegation that includes a Republican and an independent who caucuses with Democrats; one rural U.S. House district skews more conservative and uses ranked-choice voting for federal elections in its political climate.
• South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as reliably Republican at federal and state levels, with a Republican governor and supermajorities in the legislature; the entire congressional delegation is Republican and has a conservative policy orientation.
• South Dakota's religious environment can be described as more religiously observant overall; it is predominantly Christian with strong evangelical and mainline Protestant traditions alongside Roman Catholic communities, while Native American spiritual traditions are present within tribal communities; the unaffiliated population exists but is smaller than in Maine.
• Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as among the less religiously observant states, with a higher share of religiously unaffiliated residents; the Christian landscape is led by Catholic and mainline Protestant congregations, with a smaller evangelical presence and small communities from other faiths.

How Much Do Maine to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,843 miles from Maine to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.