Maine to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,843 mile interstate move from Maine to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, split foyer), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in South Dakota is 34.47% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Maine to South Dakota movers is SC Moving Services
Maine to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to South Dakota
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Expensive living costs
- Limited open land
- Tourist overload
- Milder winters
- Lower property taxes
- Affordable living costs
- Ample open spaces
- Less tourist influx
- Landlocked state
- Fewer historical sites
- Limited educational options
- Fewer seafood options
- Less diverse towns
- 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
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Wild Rice Dish |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Split Foyer |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic charm | Spacious land, Outdoor activities |
- 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 Maineβs $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
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Nor'easters | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F/50Β°F | 85Β°F/60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F/11Β°F | 29Β°F/10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 46" | 20" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 39" |
- 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
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.8% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.50% | 4.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Fishing | Agriculture, Finance, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Local government focuses on environmental policies | Local government has a strong focus on agricultural and business policies |
Religion | Christian (Catholic and Protestant), with a notable portion of non-religious residents | Primarily Christian (Evangelical Protestant), followed by Catholic and Mainline Protestant |
- Maine 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 (Evangelical Protestant), followed by Catholic and Mainline Protestant
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), with a notable portion of non-religious residents
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to South Dakota
Comparison | Maine | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Augustana University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Webster Elementary - Sioux Falls Buchanan Elementary - Pierre |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Middle School Cape Elizabeth Middle School Falmouth Middle School | Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls Edison Middle School - Sioux Falls George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings |
Top 3 High Schools | Falmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School Yarmouth High School | Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Brookings High School - Brookings |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School - Portland Hebron Academy - Hebron Berwick Academy - South Berwick | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | North Yarmouth Academy - Yarmouth Thornton Academy - Saco Waynflete School - Portland | Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Mitchell Christian School - Mitchell Rapid City Christian School - Rapid City |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools Yarmouth Schools | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Harrisburg School District |
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.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,247 | 300 ft3 | $7.49 |
1 Bedroom | $3,348 | 450 ft3 | $7.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,543 | 750 ft3 | $7.39 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,075 | 1100 ft3 | $7.34 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,666 | 1600 ft3 | $7.29 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,034 | 1800 ft3 | $7.24 |
Top Maine to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SC Moving Services
Best moving company overall for Maine to South Dakota