Movers

South Dakota to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 573 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Green Chili), real estate & housing (ranch vs modern and mountain), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chili & Bison
  • Colorado housing costs are 84% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Colorado is 70.24% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Colorado will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

South Dakota to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Colorado

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Few cultural events
  • Rural isolation
  • Flat landscapes
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Milder winters
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Urban conveniences
  • Mountainous terrain

Colorado iconColorado
  • Higher cost of living
  • More traffic
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Higher air pollution
  • Urban noise
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic
  • Community feel
  • Low pollution
  • Quiet rural charm

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Colorado with diverse job opportunities
  • Swap the few cultural events of South Dakota for a rich cultural scene in Colorado
  • Get ready for urban conveniences in Colorado

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in South Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic and have to settle with the con of more traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to the community feel and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in Colorado
  • Swap low pollution for higher air pollution

South Dakota vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
Most iconic local food itemChislicGreen Chili
Most popular meat dishPheasantBison
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosBurritos
Most popular vegan foodLentil stewQuinoa salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Crawford's Bar
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Rioja
  • Beatrice & Woodsley
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 Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Green Chili of Colorado. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison and Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Minervas, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Crawford's Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Rioja, and Beatrice & Woodsley.

When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado, compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Colorado

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
Typical Architecture StyleRanchModern and Mountain
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, quiet neighborhoodsMountain views, sustainability features
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Mountain architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and sustainability features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Colorado housing costs are 84% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Colorado is 70.24% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
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 DisastersBlizzards, FloodsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F45Β°F / 15Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)25"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)45"60"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Colorado. Colorado gets 8% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and avalanches in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is the same as in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Colorado

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
Avg. Household Income$69,728$89,302
Cost of Living Index94.198.3
State Income Tax0%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax1.31%0.51%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%2.9%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Mining, TourismAerospace, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 28% more than those in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Colorado is 4% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from South Dakota to Colorado, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.55%
  • The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate affluence in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to moderate poverty in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and moderate in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Colorado

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
Political Make-upLean RepublicanSwing State, trend towards Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative tendencies in rural areasLiberal tendencies in urban areas like Denver
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a notable Lutheran presenceMixed religious landscape, higher percentage of unaffiliated or non-religious individuals
  • South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that trends towards Democratic
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape with a higher percentage of unaffiliated or non-religious individuals
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a notable Lutheran presence

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Colorado

ComparisonSouth DakotaColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChallenge Center - Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls
Fred Assam Elementary - Brandon
Bromwell Elementary - Denver
Cory Elementary - Denver
Parker Core Knowledge - Parker
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEdison Middle School - Sioux Falls
Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls
Whittier Middle School - Sioux Falls
DSST: Stapleton Middle School - Denver
Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder
Liberty Middle School - Colorado Springs
Top 3 High School SchoolsRoosevelt High School - Sioux Falls
Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls
Washington High School - Sioux Falls
Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village
Fairview High School - Boulder
Denver School of the Arts - Denver
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian - Sioux Falls
Roncalli High School - Aberdeen
Colorado Academy - Denver
Kent Denver School - Englewood
The Fountain Valley School - Colorado Springs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNo dataColorado Springs School - Colorado Springs
Vail Mountain School - Vail
Boulder Country Day School - Boulder
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Harrisburg School District
Boulder Valley School District
Cherry Creek School District
Douglas County School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 573 miles from South Dakota to Colorado will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,527300 ft3$5.09
1 Bedroom$2,268450 ft3$5.04
2 Bedrooms$3,743750 ft3$4.99
3 Bedrooms$5,4351100 ft3$4.94
4 Bedrooms$7,8261600 ft3$4.89
5+ Bedrooms$8,7141800 ft3$4.84

Top South Dakota to Colorado Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Colorado

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10