Oregon to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,419 mile interstate move from Oregon to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Chislic), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Portland Pork Tenderloin, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Bison Burgers
- South Dakota housing costs are 40% less expensive than those in Oregon
- Rent in South Dakota is 32.57% more affordable than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Oregon to South Dakota movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
Oregon to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to South Dakota
- High cost of living
- Rainy weather
- Earthquake risk
- Heavy traffic
- Affordable housing
- More sunshine
- Low natural disaster risk
- Less congestion
- Less cultural diversity
- Landlocked state
- Fewer local wineries
- Harsh winters
- Diverse culture
- Access to coast
- Abundant wineries
- Mild climate
Pros of moving from Oregon to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from rainy weather and moving to South Dakota with more sunshine
- Swap the earthquake risk of Oregon for the low natural disaster risk in South Dakota
- Get ready for less congestion in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Oregon to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in Oregon to live with less cultural diversity in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of access to the coast and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
- Time to bid farewell to the abundant wineries and get used to fewer local wineries in South Dakota
- Swap the mild climate for harsh winters
Oregon vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Dungeness Crab | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Portland Pork Tenderloin | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Voodoo Doughnuts | Frybread Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Lentil Stew |
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 Oregon to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Oregon for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Portland Pork Tenderloin and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnuts, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Frybread Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble 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 Oregon eateries like Pok Pok, Screen Door, and Le Pigeon. 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 JL Beers.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and South Dakota
Comparison | Oregon | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly features, Proximity to nature | Spacious lots, Family-friendly communities |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and proximity to nature, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and family-friendly communities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Dakota is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
- South Dakota housing costs are 40% less expensive than those in Oregon, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Oregon's $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in South Dakota is 32.57% more affordable than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and South Dakota
Comparison | Oregon | 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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Varies seasonally |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 68-85 / 49-54 | 85-90 / 60-65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 46-49 / 35-37 | 30-40 / 10-20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 27-46 | 19-25 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 3-11 | 30-60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 48% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon, 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 17 degrees warmer than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows in South Dakota are 25 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and South Dakota
Comparison | Oregon | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 9% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.1% | 1.3% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Forestry, Agriculture | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 8% less than in Oregon
- The COLI in South Dakota is 15% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
- Hooray, moving to SD means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in South Dakota is moderate compared to moderate in Oregon
- The poverty level is low in South Dakota compared to moderate in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oregon and low in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Oregon | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers | Rural, conservative governance |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher religious affiliation, notably Christian |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as having a higher religious affiliation, notably Christian
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to South Dakota
Comparison | Oregon | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Bethany Elementary (Portland) Forest Park Elementary (Portland) | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Portland) | Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High School (Portland) Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego) Corvallis High School (Corvallis) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) OES (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) OES (Portland) Delphian School (Sheridan) | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen) Roncalli Catholic Schools (Aberdeen) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Portland Public Schools West Linn-Wilsonville School District | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brandon Valley School District |
How Much Do Oregon to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,419 miles from Oregon to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,007 | 300 ft3 | $6.69 |
1 Bedroom | $2,988 | 450 ft3 | $6.64 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,942 | 750 ft3 | $6.59 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,194 | 1100 ft3 | $6.54 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,384 | 1600 ft3 | $6.49 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,592 | 1800 ft3 | $6.44 |
Top Oregon to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Oregon to South Dakota