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Maine to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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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

ConsMaine iconMaine
  • Harsh winters
  • High property taxes
  • Expensive living costs
  • Limited open land
  • Tourist overload
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Milder winters
  • Lower property taxes
  • Affordable living costs
  • Ample open spaces
  • Less tourist influx

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Landlocked state
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Limited educational options
  • Fewer seafood options
  • Less diverse towns
Maine iconMaine
  • 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

ComparisonMaineSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollChislic
Most popular meat dishLobsterPheasant
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBlueberry CobblerWild Rice Dish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Duckfat
  • Fore Street
  • Minervas
  • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
  • Queen City Bakery
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 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

ComparisonMaineSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, 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 listingWaterfront, Historic charmSpacious 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 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

ComparisonMaineSouth 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 DisastersBlizzards, Nor'eastersTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F/50Β°F85Β°F/60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F/11Β°F29Β°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

ComparisonMaineSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$69,543$69,728
Cost of Living Index116.594.1
State Income Tax5.8%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.30%1.22%
Avg. Sales Tax5.50%4.50%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Tourism, FishingAgriculture, Finance, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonMaineSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsLocal government focuses on environmental policiesLocal government has a strong focus on agricultural and business policies
ReligionChristian (Catholic and Protestant), with a notable portion of non-religious residentsPrimarily 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

ComparisonMaineSouth 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 SchoolsCape Elizabeth Schools
Falmouth Elementary
Yarmouth Schools
Challenge Center - Sioux Falls
Webster Elementary - Sioux Falls
Buchanan Elementary - Pierre
Top 3 Middle SchoolsYarmouth 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 SchoolsFalmouth 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 schoolsWaynflete 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 schoolsNorth 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 DistrictsFalmouth 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 - $8,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: SC Moving Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,247300 ft3$7.49
1 Bedroom$3,348450 ft3$7.44
2 Bedrooms$5,543750 ft3$7.39
3 Bedrooms$8,0751100 ft3$7.34
4 Bedrooms$11,6661600 ft3$7.29
5+ Bedrooms$13,0341800 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.

TOP PICK
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

Best moving company overall for Maine to South Dakota

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Vacationland Moving featured image

Vacationland Moving

9.02/10
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
Top Maine to South Dakota Routes

Portland to South Dakota