South Dakota to Georgia Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 1,486 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Georgia? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Georgia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Peach Cobbler), real estate & housing (ranch, split foyer vs colonial, craftsman), 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 Peach Cobbler & Fried Chicken
- Georgia housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Georgia is 52.51% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Georgia will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Georgia movers is Moving Etc
South Dakota to Georgia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Georgia
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Isolation
- Remote locations
- Milder climate
- Diverse job market
- Thriving cultural scene
- Proximity to beaches
- Higher living expenses
- Dense population
- Congested roads
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Low cost of living
- Natural beauty
- Low traffic
- Peaceful lifestyle
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Georgia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Georgia with a diverse job market
- Swap the isolation of South Dakota for a thriving cultural scene in Georgia
- Get ready for proximity to beaches in Georgia
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Georgia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Dakota to live with higher living expenses in Georgia
- You'll lose out on the pro of natural beauty and have to settle for the con of a dense population
- Time to bid farewell to low traffic and get used to congested roads in Georgia
- Swap a peaceful lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle
South Dakota vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Peach Cobbler |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Stew | Collard Greens |
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 Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Peach Cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Georgia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Minervas, Cattleman's Club Steakhouse, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room.
When comparing lifestyles, Georgia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Georgia compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Georgia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Georgia
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split Foyer | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Natural landscapes | Historical neighborhoods, Proximity to amenities |
- The Ranch and Split Foyer architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Georgia.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and natural landscapes, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like historical neighborhoods and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Georgia is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Georgia is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Georgia has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Georgia housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $327,174 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Georgia is 52.51% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Georgia
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β° / 62Β° | 89Β° / 71Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 29Β° / 10Β° | 52Β° / 34Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 45-55 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-60 | 1-5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Georgia. Georgia gets 2% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Georgia has lower 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 4 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 24 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 25 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Georgia
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $72,837 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 93.35 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 1% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.3% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.4% | 7.4% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Retail | Trade, Transportation, Services |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Rare | More Notable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 4% more than those in South Dakota
- The COLI in Georgia will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from South Dakota to Georgia, you'll now have a state income tax of 1% - 5.75%
- The affluence in Georgia is varied compared to moderate affluence in South Dakota
- The poverty level is higher in Georgia compared to lower poverty in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is rare in South Dakota and more notable in Georgia
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Georgia
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative dominance in rural areas | Diverse political views with a balance of urban liberal and rural conservative communities |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence | Varied, predominantly Christian, with a notable Baptist contingent |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Georgia's religious environment can be described as varied, predominantly Christian, with a notable Baptist contingent
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a significant Lutheran presence
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Georgia
Comparison | South Dakota | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Endeavor Elem - Harrisburg Discovery Elem - Sioux Falls | Brandon Elementary - Atlanta Britt David Elementary - Columbus Brookwood Elementary - Snellville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings Edison Middle School - Sioux Falls Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls | Davidson Magnet School - Augusta Dodgen Middle School - Marietta River Trail Middle School - Johns Creek |
Top 3 High School Schools | Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Washington High School - Sioux Falls | Northview High School - Johns Creek Walton High School - Marietta Lambert High School - Suwanee |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown | The Westminster Schools - Atlanta Pace Academy - Atlanta Atlanta International School - Atlanta |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Roncalli Catholic Schools - Aberdeen Dakota Christian School - Corsica | Woodward Academy - College Park Holy Innocents' Episcopal School - Atlanta Paideia School - Atlanta |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brandon Valley School District | Fulton County Schools Cobb County School District Gwinnett County Public Schools |
How Much Do South Dakota to Georgia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,486 miles from South Dakota to Georgia 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Atlanta Home Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,045 | 300 ft3 | $6.82 |
1 Bedroom | $3,045 | 450 ft3 | $6.77 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,037 | 750 ft3 | $6.72 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,333 | 1100 ft3 | $6.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,586 | 1600 ft3 | $6.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,820 | 1800 ft3 | $6.57 |
Top South Dakota to Georgia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Georgia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Moving Etc
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Georgia