Movers

South Dakota to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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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

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Less diversity
  • Limited coastline
ProsAlaska iconAlaska
  • Stunning landscapes
  • Cultural richness
  • Vast coastline

Alaska iconAlaska
  • Higher costs
  • Remote areas
  • Isolation
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemChislicSalmon
Most popular meat dishBison steakKing crab legs
Most popular street food itemIndian tacosReindeer sausage
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa saladSeaweed salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • The Crawford Hotel
  • Simon & Seafort's
  • Glacier Brewhouse
  • The Saltry
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleRanchLog Cabins, Modern
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Proximity to parksNatural 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 Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Not enough data to generate a comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 46.33% more expensive than in South Dakota.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Alaska

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, BlizzardsEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityGoodVaries by region, generally good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/60Β°F60Β°F/40Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F/10Β°F20Β°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

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$69,728$88,121
Cost of Living Index94.1132.6
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.32%1.18%
Avg. Sales Tax4.50%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, FinanceOil and Gas, Fishing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
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Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Alaska

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
Political Make-upLean ConservativeIndependent-leaning with Conservative tendencies
Local PoliticsEmphasis on agriculture and rural developmentFocus on natural resources and indigenous rights
ReligionPredominantly Christian with Lutheran and Catholic majoritiesDiverse, 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaAlaska
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 SchoolsDiscovery 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 SchoolsPatrick 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 SchoolsLincoln 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 schoolsO'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 schoolsSioux 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 DistrictsSioux 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.

TOP PICK
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Alaska

8.94/10
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move featured image

Dial-A-Move

8.27/10
Very GoodView details
Top South Dakota to Alaska Routes

Sioux Falls to Alaska