Nebraska to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 213 mile interstate move from Nebraska to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Nebraska vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs no state income tax), food & health (like Runza vs Chislic), real estate & housing (ranch vs ranch/craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Runza and Beef steak, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison steak
- South Dakota housing costs are 16% more expensive than they are in Nebraska
- Rent in South Dakota is 6.76% more affordable than in Nebraska
- Moving from Nebraska to South Dakota will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Nebraska to South Dakota movers is King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Nebraska to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Nebraska to South Dakota
- Higher taxes
- Extreme heat in summer
- Limited outdoor activities
- Flat landscapes
- High cost of living
- No state income tax
- Milder summers
- Abundant outdoor recreation
- Diverse geography
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter social scene
- Smaller job market
- Fewer educational options
- Limited dining diversity
- More rural living
- Vibrant nightlife
- More job opportunities
- Well-known universities
- Wide variety of restaurants
- Bustling city life
Pros of moving from Nebraska to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to no state income tax
- Look forward to moving away from extreme heat in summer and moving to South Dakota with milder summers
- Swap the limited outdoor activities of Nebraska for abundant outdoor recreation in South Dakota
- Get ready for diverse geography in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Nebraska to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Nebraska to live with a quieter social scene in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of more job opportunities and have to settle with the con of a smaller job market
- Time to bid farewell to well-known universities and get used to fewer educational options in South Dakota
- Swap a wide variety of restaurants for limited dining diversity
Nebraska vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Runza | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Beef steak | Bison steak |
Most popular street food item | Corn dogs | Indian tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Black bean burgers | Lentil tacos |
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 Nebraska to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Runza of Nebraska for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Nebraska rave about their flavorful Beef steak and sumptuous Corn dogs, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison steak and Indian tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black bean burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil tacos of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Nebraska eateries like Mistyβs Steakhouse and Lounge, Lazlo's Brewery and Grill, and The Drover. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Grille 26, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minervas.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Nebraska. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Nebraska. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Nebraska and South Dakota
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Ranch/Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Garages | Scenic views, Large lots |
- The Ranch architecture that Nebraska is known for will be replaced with the Ranch/Craftsman architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Nebraska's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Nebraska.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Nebraska.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Nebraska.
- South Dakota housing costs are 16% more expensive than they are in Nebraska, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Nebraskaβs $257,167.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 47% increase in Nebraska.
- Rent in South Dakota is 6.76% more affordable than in Nebraska.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Nebraska and South Dakota
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 223 days | 213 days |
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 | Tornadoes, severe storms | Tornadoes, blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 63Β°F | 81Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 13Β°F | 31Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 inches | 20 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 inches | 39 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Nebraska to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Nebraska.
- South Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Nebraska.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Nebraska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 4 degrees colder than in Nebraska.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Nebraska.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Nebraska.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Nebraska and South Dakota
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,597 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.85 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.58% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.61% | 1.31% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 0% more than those in Nebraska
- The COLI in South Dakota will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Nebraska
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Nebraska
- The poverty level is moderate in South Dakota compared to moderate in Nebraska
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Nebraska and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Nebraska vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural influences | Rural influences predominate |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, with significant Lutheran and Methodist populations |
- Nebraska tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with significant Lutheran and Methodist populations
- Nebraska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Nebraska to South Dakota
Comparison | Nebraska | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University University of Nebraska at Omaha | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota South Dakota School of Mines & Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Brownell Elementary - Omaha Pyrtle Elementary - Lincoln Dundee Elementary - Omaha | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls Fred Assam Elementary - Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Elkhorn Ridge Middle School - Elkhorn Scott Middle School - Lincoln Kiewit Middle School - Omaha | Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings Whittier Middle School - Sioux Falls |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln East High School - Lincoln Millard North High School - Omaha Elkhorn South High School - Elkhorn | Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Washington High School - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls |
Top 3 private high schools | Mount Michael Benedictine School - Elkhorn Marian High School - Omaha Brownell Talbot School - Omaha | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Roncalli High School - Aberdeen |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Brownell Talbot School - Omaha Omaha Christian Academy - Omaha Marian High School - Omaha | Sacred Heart School - Yankton Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Aberdeen Christian School - Aberdeen |
Top 3 School Districts | Westside Community Schools Elkhorn Public Schools Millard Public Schools | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brandon Valley School District |
How Much Do Nebraska to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 213 miles from Nebraska to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,323 | 300 ft3 | $4.41 |
1 Bedroom | $1,962 | 450 ft3 | $4.36 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,233 | 750 ft3 | $4.31 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,687 | 1100 ft3 | $4.26 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,737 | 1600 ft3 | $4.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,489 | 1800 ft3 | $4.16 |
Top Nebraska to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Nebraska to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Best moving company overall for Nebraska to South Dakota