Ohio to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,050 mile interstate move from Ohio to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high population density vs low population density), food & health (like Buckeye Candy vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, 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 Buckeye Candy and Cincinnati Chili, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in South Dakota is 17.76% more affordable than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Ohio to South Dakota movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Ohio to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to South Dakota
- High population density
- Traffic congestion
- Expensive housing
- Humid summers
- Low population density
- Smoother commute
- Affordable housing
- Fresher air
- Less cultural diversity
- Slower pace
- Fewer jobs
- Fewer historical sites
- Diverse culture
- Vibrant city life
- Wide job opportunities
- Rich history
Pros of moving from Ohio to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to high population density and hello to low population density
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to South Dakota with smoother commutes
- Swap the expensive housing of Ohio for affordable housing in South Dakota
- Get ready for fresher air in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Ohio to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse culture in Ohio to live with less cultural diversity in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant city life and have to settle for the con of a slower pace
- Time to bid farewell to wide job opportunities and get used to fewer jobs in South Dakota
- Swap the rich history for fewer historical sites
Ohio vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Buckeye Candy | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Cincinnati Chili | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Polish Boy | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Lentil Stew |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Ohio to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye Candy of Ohio for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Cincinnati Chili and sumptuous Polish Boy, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Skyline Chili, Schmidtβs Sausage Haus, and Melt Bar and Grilled. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Cattleman's Steakhouse, Minervas, and Phillips Avenue Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and South Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to schools | Scenic views, quiet neighborhoods |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to schools, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Dakota is less walkable than Ohio.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Ohio.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Ohio.
- South Dakota housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in South Dakota is 17.76% more affordable than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and South Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Tornados, Floods | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36Β°F / 19Β°F | 30Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39" | 20" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28" | 44" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 21% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and floods in South Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 2 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and South Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | Up to 4.8% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.51% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.17% | 4.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Finance, Agriculture, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 6% more than those in Ohio
- The COLI in South Dakota will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Ohio
- The poverty level is moderate in South Dakota compared to moderate in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Ohio and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, mix of Republican and Democrat voters | Strongly Republican in federal elections |
Local Politics | Mixture of both parties with significant urban vs. rural divide | Republican dominance with some Democratic presence in urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority, with diverse religious representation | Christian majority, notably Protestant |
- Ohio tends to lean as a swing state, with a mix of Republican and Democrat voters in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican in federal elections
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, notably Protestant
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with diverse religious representation
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to South Dakota
Comparison | Ohio | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | The Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Miami University | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati; Granville Elementary Granville; Oakwood Elementary Dayton | Challenge Center Sioux Falls; Discovery Elementary Sioux Falls; Harvey Dunn Elementary Sioux Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bexley Middle School Bexley; Hudson Middle School Hudson; Mason Middle School Mason | George S. Mickelson Middle School Brookings; Patrick Henry Middle School Sioux Falls; Whittier Middle School Sioux Falls |
Top 3 High Schools | Ottawa Hills High School Ottawa Hills; Walnut Hills High School Cincinnati; Bexley High School Bexley | Roosevelt High School Sioux Falls; Lincoln High School Sioux Falls; Brookings High School Brookings |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawken School Gates Mills; University School Hunting Valley; The Seven Hills School Cincinnati | O'Gorman High School Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls Christian Schools Sioux Falls; Roncalli High School Aberdeen |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Columbus Academy Gahanna; Western Reserve Academy Hudson; Cincinnati Country Day School Cincinnati | Sacred Heart School Yankton; Great Plains Lutheran High School Watertown; Aberdeen Christian School Aberdeen |
Top 3 School Districts | Solon City School District Solon; Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati; Oakwood City School District Dayton | Brandon Valley School District Brandon; Harrisburg School District Harrisburg; Sioux Falls School District Sioux Falls |
How Much Do Ohio to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,050 miles from Ohio to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,798 | 300 ft3 | $5.99 |
1 Bedroom | $2,674 | 450 ft3 | $5.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,419 | 750 ft3 | $5.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,427 | 1100 ft3 | $5.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,268 | 1600 ft3 | $5.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,337 | 1800 ft3 | $5.74 |
Top Ohio to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to South Dakota