MO to SD Moving Specialists

Missouri to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 749 mile interstate move from Missouri to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs drier climate), food & health (like St. Louis BBQ vs Chislic), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch 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 St. Louis BBQ and Smoked Pork Steaks, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in South Dakota is 10.81% more affordable than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to South Dakota movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Top Missouri to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to South Dakota

9.63/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.32/10
Exceptional

Missouri to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to South Dakota

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • High Humidity
  • Severe Storms
  • Traffic Congestion
  • Competitive Job Market
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Drier Climate
  • Fewer Tornadoes
  • Less Traffic
  • Economic Opportunities

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Rural Areas
  • Fewer Historical Sites
  • Fewer Sports Teams
  • Landlocked State
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Vibrant Cities
  • Rich History
  • Sports Culture
  • Access to Waterways

Pros of moving from Missouri to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to drier climate
  • Look forward to moving away from severe storms and moving to South Dakota with fewer tornadoes
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Missouri for less traffic in South Dakota
  • Get ready for economic opportunities in South Dakota

Cons of moving from Missouri to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant cities in Missouri to live with rural areas 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 sports culture and get used to fewer sports teams in South Dakota
  • Swap access to waterways for a landlocked state

Missouri vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis BBQChislic
Most popular meat dishSmoked Pork SteaksPheasant
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodCauliflower WingsJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Bogart's Smokehouse
  • CafΓ© Flora
  • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
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 Missouri to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Smoked Pork Steaks and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Cauliflower Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Bogart's Smokehouse, and CafΓ© Flora. 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, Minervas, and Phillips Avenue Diner.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and South Dakota

ComparisonMissouriSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchRanch, 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, hardwood floorsOpen concept, natural scenery
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and hardwood floors, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like open concept layouts and natural scenery.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Dakota is less walkable than Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Missouri's $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 10.81% more affordable than in Missouri.

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

ComparisonMissouriSouth 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, floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89Β°F / 67Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 21Β°F29Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4220
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1839
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 4% more sunshine days than Missouri.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in South Dakota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 4 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and South Dakota

ComparisonMissouriSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$64,811$69,728
Cost of Living Index91.894.1
State Income Tax5.4%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.91%1.31%
Avg. Sales Tax8.25%6.40%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, ManufacturingFinance, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyMediumLow
HomelessnessMediumLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 8% more than those in Missouri
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you will no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
  • The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to medium in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is medium in Missouri and low in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. South Dakota

ComparisonMissouriSouth Dakota
Political Make-upMixed; leans Republican in recent electionsStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsUrban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean RepublicanRural state with strong Republican lean across most areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban centersChristianity predominant, less religious diversity than Missouri
  • Missouri tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in recent elections 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 less religious diversity than Missouri
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban centers

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to South Dakota

ComparisonMissouriSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
Washington University in St. Louis
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Black Hills State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMason Ridge Elementary
St. Louis; John Thomas School of Discovery
Nixa; Wilson's Creek 5-6 School
Springfield
Challenge Center
Sioux Falls; Buchanan Elementary
Huron; Discovery Elementary
Sioux Falls
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
Pierre Indian Learning Center
Pierre; Mickelson Middle School
Brookings; Memorial Middle School
Sioux Falls
Top 3 High SchoolsClayton High School
Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High School
St. Louis; Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood
Roosevelt High School
Sioux Falls; Lincoln High School
Sioux Falls; Washington High School
Sioux Falls
Top 3 private high schoolsPembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis; St. Louis University High School
St. Louis
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Sioux Falls; O'Gorman High School
Sioux Falls; Roncalli High School
Aberdeen
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Barstow School
Kansas City; Thomas Jefferson School
St. Louis; St. Paul's Episcopal Day School
Kansas City
Sacred Heart School
Yankton; Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Sioux Falls; Dakota Christian School
Corsica
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District
Ladue School District
Parkway School District
SiouxFalls School District
Harrisburg School District
Brandon Valley School District

How Much Do Missouri to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 749 miles from Missouri to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,627300 ft3$5.42
1 Bedroom$2,418450 ft3$5.37
2 Bedrooms$3,993750 ft3$5.32
3 Bedrooms$5,8011100 ft3$5.27
4 Bedrooms$8,3581600 ft3$5.22
5+ Bedrooms$9,3131800 ft3$5.17

Kansas City to South Dakota

St. Louis to South Dakota

Springfield to South Dakota