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North Dakota to South Dakota Moving Guide

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Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 324 mile interstate move from North Dakota to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Chislic), real estate & housing (ranch-style vs prairie-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Buffalo steak, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in South Dakota is 16.63% more expensive than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to South Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to South Dakota featured image

Top North Dakota to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to South Dakota

9.30/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.07/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.95/10
Superb

North Dakota to South Dakota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to South Dakota

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited urban areas
  • Higher state taxes
  • Fewer amenities
  • Remote location
ProsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Milder winters
  • Vibrant cities
  • Lower state taxes
  • More amenities
  • Closer to attractions

South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Frequent storms
  • Busy areas
  • Higher crime rates
  • Tourist congestion
  • Transient population
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Natural beauty
  • Quiet lifestyle
  • Low crime rates
  • Rich history
  • Strong community

Pros of moving from North Dakota to South Dakota

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited urban areas and moving to South Dakota with vibrant cities
  • Swap the higher state taxes of North Dakota for lower state taxes in South Dakota
  • Get ready for more amenities in South Dakota

Cons of moving from North Dakota to South Dakota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from natural beauty in North Dakota to live with frequent storms in South Dakota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet lifestyle and have to settle with the con of busy areas
  • Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in South Dakota
  • Swap rich history for tourist congestion

North Dakota vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemLefseChislic
Most popular meat dishBuffalo steakPheasant
Most popular street food itemKnoephla soupIndian taco
Most popular vegan foodWild rice dishesLentil dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pitchfork Steak Fondue
  • Kroll's Diner
  • HoDo Restaurant
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Cattleman's Club Steakhouse
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 North Dakota to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Buffalo steak and sumptuous Knoephla soup, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild rice dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil dishes of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Kroll's Diner, and HoDo Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and Cattleman's Club Steakhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and South Dakota

ComparisonNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleRanch-stylePrairie-style
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, garage spaceViews, natural light
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nationwide
$355k$355k$284k$284k$213k$213k$142k$142k$71k$71k0020152015201620162017201720182018201920192020202020212021202220222023202320242024
source: zillow.com
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nationwide
$2k$2k$1.6k$1.6k$1.2k$1.2k8008004004000020152015201620162017201720182018201920192020202020212021202220222023202320242024
source: zillow.com
  • The Ranch-style architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Prairie-style architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage space, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like views and natural light.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; South Dakota is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Dakota is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • South Dakota has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 16.63% more expensive than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaSouth 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, FloodsBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)23Β°F / 2Β°F29Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17-2020-25
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4639
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 7% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota.
  • The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 2 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 3 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and South Dakota

ComparisonNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$71,970$69,728
Cost of Living Index95.394.1
State Income Tax2.32%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%1.22%
Avg. Sales Tax6.85%6.40%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Oil, TechnologyAgriculture, Tourism, Finance
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessMinimalMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 3% less than those in North Dakota
  • The COLI in South Dakota will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to low in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and minimal in South Dakota

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. South Dakota

ComparisonNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
Political Make-upGenerally considered conservativeLeans conservative
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in state governmentRepublican dominance in state government
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant Lutheran presencePrimarily Christian, with sizable Lutheran and Catholic communities
  • North Dakota tends to lean generally considered conservative in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning conservative
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with sizable Lutheran and Catholic communities
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with a significant Lutheran presence

How Much Do North Dakota to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 324 miles from North Dakota to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Midwest Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,386300 ft3$4.62
1 Bedroom$2,057450 ft3$4.57
2 Bedrooms$3,390750 ft3$4.52
3 Bedrooms$4,9181100 ft3$4.47
4 Bedrooms$7,0731600 ft3$4.42
5+ Bedrooms$7,8671800 ft3$4.37
Top North Dakota to South Dakota Routes

Fargo to South Dakota