South Dakota to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,516 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (prairie and ranch vs colonial and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Crab Cakes
- Delaware housing costs are 29% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Delaware is 55.48% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Delaware will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Delaware movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal
South Dakota to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Delaware
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- Limited job market
- Sparse amenities
- Milder climate
- Proximity to cities
- Vibrant economy
- Abundant attractions
- Higher cost of living
- Congested traffic
- Higher taxes
- Denser population
- Natural beauty
- Low crime rate
- Small-town charm
- Space to roam
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Delaware
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Delaware with its proximity to cities
- Swap the limited job market of South Dakota for a vibrant economy in Delaware
- Get ready for abundant attractions in Delaware
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in South Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low crime rate and have to settle for the con of congested traffic
- Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to higher taxes in Delaware
- Swap space to roam for a denser population
South Dakota vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Crab Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Italian Subs |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Dishes | Roasted Vegetable Wrap |
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 Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Delaware residents know they have tasty Crab Cakes and Italian Subs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Vegetable Wrap of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and Silver Lining Creamery. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Dover Downs, Henlopen City Oyster House, and Bluecoast Seafood Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Delaware
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Ranch | Colonial and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, Natural scenery | Close to beaches, Modern amenities |
- The Prairie and Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and natural scenery, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Delaware is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Delaware is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Delaware has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Delaware housing costs are 29% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Delaware is 55.48% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Delaware
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 86Β°F/66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 45Β°F/28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 40-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-40 | 15-25 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Delaware. Delaware gets 11% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a higher 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 hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 1 degree warmer than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows in Delaware are 18 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 20 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Delaware
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2.2-6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.25% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance | Finance, Biotechnology, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Scattered | Concentrated |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 18% more than in South Dakota
- The COLI in Delaware will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to DE, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.2-6.6%
- The affluence in Delaware is high compared to moderate in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to low in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is scattered in South Dakota and concentrated in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Delaware
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated legislature | Democratic-controlled legislature |
Religion | Christianity Predominant (Evangelical, Catholic) | Christianity Predominant (Catholic, Methodist) |
- South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as Christianity Predominant (Catholic, Methodist)
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity Predominant (Evangelical, Catholic)
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Delaware
Comparison | South Dakota | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) T.F. Riggs Elementary (Pierre) | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Sussex Academy (Georgetown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Yankton Middle School (Yankton) | Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Sussex Academy |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) Archmere Academy (Claymont) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Brandon Valley School District Harrisburg School District | Brandywine School District Caesar Rodney School District Red Clay Consolidated School District |
How Much Do South Dakota to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 1,516 miles from South Dakota to Delaware 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: Keep It - Moving & Labor
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,062 | 300 ft3 | $6.87 |
1 Bedroom | $3,070 | 450 ft3 | $6.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,080 | 750 ft3 | $6.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,395 | 1100 ft3 | $6.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,677 | 1600 ft3 | $6.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,922 | 1800 ft3 | $6.62 |
Top South Dakota to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Delaware