South Carolina to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,535 mile interstate move from South Carolina to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston-style 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 Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in South Dakota is 27.97% more affordable than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended South Carolina to South Dakota movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
South Carolina to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to South Dakota
- High summer humidity
- Traffic congestion
- Heavier rainfalls
- Hurricane threats
- Cooler summers
- Less crowded roads
- Drier climate
- Low natural disasters
- Less historical presence
- Limited restaurant variety
- Harsh winters
- Lesser ocean activities
- Rich historical sites
- Diverse dining options
- Year-round warm climate
- Beach access
Pros of moving from South Carolina to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to South Dakota with less crowded roads
- Swap the heavier rainfalls of South Carolina for a drier climate in South Dakota
- Get ready for low natural disasters in South Dakota
Cons of moving from South Carolina to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich historical sites in South Carolina to live with a less historical presence in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of limited restaurant variety
- Time to bid farewell to a year-round warm climate and get used to harsh winters in South Dakota
- Swap beach access for fewer ocean activities
South Carolina vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Lentil 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 South Carolina to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens 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 South Carolina eateries like Husk, Bowens Island Restaurant, and FIG. 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 Josiahβs Coffeehouse, CafΓ© and Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and South Dakota
Comparison | South Carolina | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Charleston-style | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic features, proximity to the beach | Spacious land, outdoor activities |
- The Colonial and Charleston-style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference historic features and proximity to the beach, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like spacious land and outdoor activities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away as South Dakota is less walkable than South Carolina.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike as South Dakota is less bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- South Dakota housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased by 48% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in South Dakota is 27.97% more affordable than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and South Dakota
Comparison | South Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F/71Β°F | 85Β°F/60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/38Β°F | 29Β°F/10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8 | 20-30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1-5 | 30-60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 1% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- South Dakota has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 5 degrees colder than South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 29.8 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and South Dakota
Comparison | South Carolina | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% - 7% | None |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.22% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Reasonable |
Poverty | Notable | Lower |
Homelessness | Visible | Less noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Dakota tend to earn about 9% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in South Dakota is 3% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in South Dakota is none compared to 0% - 7% in South Carolina
- The affluence in South Dakota is reasonable compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is lower in South Dakota compared to notable poverty in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in South Carolina and less noticeable in South Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. South Dakota
Comparison | South Carolina | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | leans Republican, with significant support in rural areas | primarily Republican, especially in rural regions |
Local Politics | diverse local politics, with urban areas leaning more Democratic | local politics influenced by agricultural interests and conservative values |
Religion | predominantly Protestant, with a significant Baptist community | largely Protestant, with a notable <a href="https://sdsynod.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lutheran presence</a> |
- South Carolina tends to lean Republican, with significant support in rural areas in its political climate
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican, especially in rural regions
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as largely Protestant, with a notable <a href='https://sdsynod.org/' rel='noopener nofollow' target='_blank'>Lutheran presence</a>
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Protestant, with a significant Baptist community
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to South Dakota
Comparison | South Carolina | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Riverwalk Academy (Rock Hill) | Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) John Harris Elementary (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) | Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Dakota Valley Middle School (North Sioux City) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) May River High School (Bluffton) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Brookings High School (Brookings) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) St. Thomas More High School (Rapid City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Charleston Collegiate School (Johns Island) Greenwood Christian School (Greenwood) Hilton Head Christian Academy (Hilton Head Island) | Sacred Heart School (Yankton) Roncalli Catholic Schools (Aberdeen) Christian Center Elementary School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 School Districts | Greenville County Schools Charleston County School District Lexington County School District One | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Yankton School District |
How Much Do South Carolina to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,535 miles from South Carolina to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,073 | 300 ft3 | $6.91 |
1 Bedroom | $3,087 | 450 ft3 | $6.86 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,107 | 750 ft3 | $6.81 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,435 | 1100 ft3 | $6.76 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,734 | 1600 ft3 | $6.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,986 | 1800 ft3 | $6.66 |
Top South Carolina to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to South Dakota