New Hampshire to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 1,695 mile interstate move from New Hampshire to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Hampshire vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high housing costs vs affordable homes), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Hampshire), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Maple Glazed Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in New Hampshire
- Rent in South Dakota is 39.50% more affordable than in New Hampshire
- Moving from New Hampshire to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended New Hampshire to South Dakota movers is Fit 2 Move
New Hampshire to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Hampshire to South Dakota
- High housing costs
- Long commutes
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Affordable homes
- Shorter commutes
- Milder winters
- Lower cost of living
- Fewer mountains
- Less cultural diversity
- Landlocked
- Less seasonal variation
- Scenic beauty
- Rich history
- Proximity to coast
- Four seasons
Pros of moving from New Hampshire to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to high housing costs and hello to affordable homes
- Look forward to moving away from long commutes and moving to South Dakota with shorter commutes
- Swap the harsh winters of New Hampshire for milder winters in South Dakota
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in South Dakota
Cons of moving from New Hampshire to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic beauty in New Hampshire to live with fewer mountains in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to the coast and get used to being landlocked in South Dakota
- Swap four seasons for less seasonal variation
New Hampshire vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Maple Glazed Ham | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Fried Dough | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Maple Syrup Flavored Items | Wild Rice Dishes |
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 New Hampshire to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of New Hampshire for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in New Hampshire rave about their flavorful Maple Glazed Ham and sumptuous Fried Dough, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Maple Syrup Flavored Items they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dishes of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Hampshire eateries like Woodstock Inn Brewery, Moat Mountain Smoke House and Brewing Co., and The Common Man. 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 Restaurant and Bar, and Crawford's Bar and Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Hampshire. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in New Hampshire. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Hampshire and South Dakota
Comparison | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | "Granite countertops," "hardwood floors" | "Spacious backyard," "natural light" |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Hampshire is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to New Hampshire's real estate listings that commonly reference granite countertops and hardwood floors, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and natural light.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Dakota is less walkable than New Hampshire.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Dakota is less bike-friendly than New Hampshire.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than New Hampshire.
- South Dakota housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in New Hampshire, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to New Hampshireβs $465,926.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 68% increase in New Hampshire.
- Rent in South Dakota is 39.50% more affordable than in New Hampshire.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Hampshire and South Dakota
Comparison | New Hampshire | 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 | Winter storms, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F / 15Β°F | 29Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 20-30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 30-40" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Hampshire to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 13% more sunshine days than New Hampshire.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Hampshire.
- Say goodbye to possible winter storms and floods in New Hampshire, 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 5 degrees warmer than in New Hampshire.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in New Hampshire.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to New Hampshire.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Hampshire and South Dakota
Comparison | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,992 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.8 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.05% | 1.32% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
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Political and Religious Climate in New Hampshire vs. South Dakota
Comparison | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Liberal | Conservative |
Local Politics | Swing State, competitive local elections | Strong Republican hold on local and state offices |
Religion | Less Religiously Affiliated | More Religiously Affiliated, predominantly Christian |
- New Hampshire tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as more religiously affiliated, predominantly Christian
- New Hampshire's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from New Hampshire to South Dakota
Comparison | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Hampshire Dartmouth College Southern New Hampshire University | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Matthew Thornton Elementary (Londonderry) Main Dunstable Elementary (Nashua) North Hampton School (North Hampton) | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Hollis Brookline Middle School (Hollis) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) Rye Junior High School (Rye) | George McGovern Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academy for Science and Design (Nashua) Bedford High School (Bedford) Hanover High School (Hanover) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) St. Paul's School (Concord) Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Portsmouth Christian Academy (Dover) Derryfield School (Manchester) Academy of Science and Design (Nashua) | SF Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Roncalli Catholic Schools (Aberdeen) Dakota Christian School (Corsica) |
Top 3 School Districts | Hollis-Brookline Cooperative School District Bedford School District Londonderry School District | Sioux Falls School District Brandon Valley School District Harrisburg School District |
How Much Do New Hampshire to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,695 miles from New Hampshire to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: First-Rate Moving, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,163 | 300 ft3 | $7.21 |
1 Bedroom | $3,223 | 450 ft3 | $7.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,334 | 750 ft3 | $7.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,768 | 1100 ft3 | $7.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,218 | 1600 ft3 | $7.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,531 | 1800 ft3 | $6.96 |
Top New Hampshire to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Hampshire to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Fit 2 Move
Best moving company overall for New Hampshire to South Dakota