South Dakota to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 971 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Arkansas BBQ Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Arkansas is 10.55% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
South Dakota to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Arkansas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Rural isolation
- Few entertainment options
- Milder climate
- Diverse job opportunities
- Vibrant communities
- Rich cultural scene
- Heat and humidity
- More crowded
- Higher cost of living
- Hurricane threats
- Natural beauty
- Low crime rates
- Small-town charm
- Peaceful lifestyle
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Arkansas with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the rural isolation of South Dakota for vibrant communities in Arkansas
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Arkansas
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in South Dakota to live with the heat and humidity in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of more crowded areas
- Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to a higher cost of living in Arkansas
- Swap a peaceful lifestyle for hurricane threats
South Dakota vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Arkansas BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Bowl | BBQ Jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants |
|
|
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 Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Arkansas BBQ Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like The Corn Exchange, Minervas, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Southern Gourmasian, and Cheers in Fayetteville.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Garage, Family-friendly | Large yards, Proximity to nature |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference garage and family-friendly features, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arkansas is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arkansas is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Arkansas has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Arkansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Arkansas is 10.55% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 92Β°F/72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 50Β°F/30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30" | 40-60" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-40" | 5-20" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 4% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 7 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows in Arkansas are 20 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 20 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Arkansas
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2-5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.32% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism | Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 21% less than in South Dakota
- The COLI in Arkansas is 4% lower than what you are used to in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to AR, you will now have a state income tax of 2-5.5%
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low poverty in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in South Dakota and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Arkansas
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, moderate in urban areas like Sioux Falls | Mixed, with conservative rural areas and somewhat liberal urban centers like Little Rock |
Religion | Protestant majority, followed by Catholic | Protestant majority, particularly Baptist, followed by Methodist and Catholic |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority, particularly Baptist, followed by Methodist and Catholic
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority, followed by Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Arkansas
Comparison | South Dakota | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Buchanan Elementary - Pierre Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary School - Fayetteville Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls Yankton Middle School - Yankton George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings | Lisa Academy West Middle Charter - Little Rock McNair Middle School - Fayetteville Bentonville West Middle School - Bentonville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Washington High School - Sioux Falls | Haas Hall Academy - Bentonville Bentonville High School - Bentonville Fayetteville High School - Fayetteville |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Roncalli High School - Aberdeen | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Episcopal Collegiate School - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown Aberdeen Christian School - Aberdeen | The Anthony School - Little Rock Subiaco Academy - Subiaco Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy - Bentonville |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Watertown School District | Fayetteville School District Bentonville School District Rogers School District |
How Much Do South Dakota to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 971 miles from South Dakota to Arkansas 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,753 | 300 ft3 | $5.84 |
1 Bedroom | $2,607 | 450 ft3 | $5.79 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,307 | 750 ft3 | $5.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,263 | 1100 ft3 | $5.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,029 | 1600 ft3 | $5.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,068 | 1800 ft3 | $5.59 |
Top South Dakota to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.