Movers

South Dakota to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 1,827 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs spanish colonial/mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Florida is 86.89% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Florida will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

South Dakota to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Florida

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Frigid winters
  • Limited coastal access
  • Rural isolation
  • Smaller job market
  • Less diverse dining
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Mild winters
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Urban opportunities
  • Thriving industries
  • Varied culinary scenes

Florida iconFlorida
  • Higher living expenses
  • Hurricane risk
  • High traffic congestion
  • Less personal connection
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Low traffic congestion
  • Tight-knit communities
  • Slower pace of life

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Florida

  • Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited coastal access and moving to Florida with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the rural isolation of South Dakota for urban opportunities in Florida
  • Get ready for thriving industries in Florida

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in South Dakota to live with higher living expenses in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
  • Time to bid farewell to low traffic congestion and get used to high traffic congestion in Florida
  • Swap tight-knit communities for less personal connections

South Dakota vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemChislicKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishBison steakCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgerJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Mount Rushmore Concessions
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern's Steak House
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 Florida, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwiches and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Minervas, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Mount Rushmore Concessions. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Florida

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleRanchSpanish Colonial/Mediterranean
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 listingGarage, AcreagePool, Waterfront
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference garage and acreage, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like pools and waterfronts.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Florida is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Florida is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Florida has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Florida housing costs are 33% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Florida is 86.89% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
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 DisastersSevere storms, tornadoesHurricanes, tropical storms
Air QualityGoodVariable, regional variation
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F90Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F70Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)20-30"50-65"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)30-60"0"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Florida. Florida gets 4% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible severe storms and tornadoes in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 38 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 30 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Florida

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$69,728$69,303
Cost of Living Index94.197.8
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.2%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%7%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, FinanceTourism, Agriculture, International Trade
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • The income comparison is not available
  • The cost of living comparison is not available
  • The income tax message is not available
  • The affluence in the destination city is higher compared to the source city
  • The poverty level is lower in the destination city compared to the source city
  • In terms of homelessness, it is higher in the source city and lower in the destination city

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Florida

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
Political Make-upConservative majorityMix of conservative and liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in state officesCompetitive two-party system
ReligionLargely Protestant, with a significant Catholic minorityDiverse; significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities
  • South Dakota tends to lean conservative majority in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of conservative and liberal
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Protestant with a significant Catholic minority

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Florida

ComparisonSouth DakotaFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChallenge Center - Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls
Fred Assam Elementary - Sioux Falls
Pine View School - Osprey
Doral Academy of Technology - Doral
Okaloosa STEMM Academy - Valparaiso
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEdison Middle School - Sioux Falls
George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings
Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls
Bak Middle School of the Arts - West Palm Beach
Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami
Pine View School - Osprey
Top 3 High SchoolsRoosevelt High School - Sioux Falls
Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls
Washington High School - Sioux Falls
Pine View School - Osprey
School for Advanced Studies (SAS) - Miami
Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls
Roncalli High School - Aberdeen
Ransom Everglades School - Miami
Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale
The Bolles School - Jacksonville
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGreat Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown
Sioux Falls Lutheran School - Sioux Falls
Aberdeen Christian School - Aberdeen
American Heritage School - Plantation
Gulliver Prep - Pinecrest
North Broward Preparatory School - Coconut Creek
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Brandon Valley School District
Harrisburg School District
St. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 1,827 miles from South Dakota to Florida will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,238300 ft3$7.46
1 Bedroom$3,335450 ft3$7.41
2 Bedrooms$5,521750 ft3$7.36
3 Bedrooms$8,0421100 ft3$7.31
4 Bedrooms$11,6171600 ft3$7.26
5+ Bedrooms$12,9801800 ft3$7.21

Top South Dakota to Florida Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10