South Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 2,505 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs stunning landscapes), food & health (like Chislic vs Salmon), real estate & housing (ranch vs log cabins, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King crab legs
- Alaska housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Alaska is 46.33% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Alaska movers is Dial-A-Move Inc.
South Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Alaska
- Harsh winters
- Less diversity
- Limited coastline
- Stunning landscapes
- Cultural richness
- Vast coastline
- Higher costs
- Remote areas
- Isolation
- Low cost of living
- Open spaces
- Low population density
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Alaska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to stunning landscapes
- Look forward to moving away from less diversity and moving to Alaska with cultural richness
- Swap the limited coastline of South Dakota for the vast coastline in Alaska
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Alaska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in South Dakota to live with higher costs in Alaska
- You'll lose out on the pro of open spaces and have to settle with the con of remote areas
- Time to bid farewell to low population density and get used to isolation in Alaska
South Dakota vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | King crab legs |
Most popular street food item | Indian tacos | Reindeer sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa salad | Seaweed salad |
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 Dakota to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Indian tacos, Alaska residents know they have tasty King crab legs and Reindeer sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed salad of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Minervas, Phillips Avenue Diner, and The Crawford Hotel. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like Simon & Seafort's, Glacier Brewhouse, and The Saltry.
When comparing lifestyles, Alaska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alaska compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alaska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Alaska
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Log Cabins, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Proximity to parks | Natural scenery, Proximity to wildlife |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabins and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, Alaska's real estate listings often highlight features like natural scenery and proximity to wildlife.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alaska is less walkable than South Dakota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alaska is less bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Alaska has less of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Alaska housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
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- Rent in Alaska is 46.33% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Alaska
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Blizzards | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies by region, generally good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 60Β°F/40Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 20Β°F/-10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30" | 20-200" (varies greatly by region) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-40" | 60-100+" (varies greatly by region) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Alaska. Alaska gets 34% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 25 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be used the same in Alaska. Alaska receives inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Alaska
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.32% | 1.18% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.50% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance | Oil and Gas, Fishing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
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Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Alaska
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Independent-leaning with Conservative tendencies |
Local Politics | Emphasis on agriculture and rural development | Focus on natural resources and indigenous rights |
Religion | Predominantly Christian with Lutheran and Catholic majorities | Diverse, with significant Orthodox Christian, Protestant, and indigenous spiritual practices |
- South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as independent-leaning with Conservative tendencies
- Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse, with significant Orthodox Christian, Protestant, and indigenous spiritual practices
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with Lutheran and Catholic majorities
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Alaska
Comparison | South Dakota | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls Fred Assam Elementary - Sioux Falls Endeavor Elementary - Harrisburg | Bayshore Elementary - Anchorage Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage Watershed Charter School - Fairbanks |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings East Middle School - Rapid City | Mears Middle School - Anchorage Mirror Lake Middle School - Chugiak Romig Middle School - Anchorage |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Brookings High School - Brookings | West High School - Anchorage South Anchorage High School - Anchorage Dimond High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Aberdeen Roncalli High School - Aberdeen | Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage Grace Christian School - Anchorage Monroe Catholic High School - Fairbanks |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Aberdeen Christian School - Aberdeen Mitchell Christian School - Mitchell | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brookings School District | Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District |
Top South Dakota to Alaska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Alaska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.