Movers

South Dakota to Hawaii Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a interstate move from South Dakota to Hawaii? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Hawaii across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Poke), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level vs plantation, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Hawaii), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Poke & Kalua Pork
  • Hawaii housing costs are 187% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Hawaii is 146.33% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Hawaii movers is Dial-A-Move Inc.

South Dakota to Hawaii Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Hawaii

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited ocean access
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Rural isolation
ProsHawaii iconHawaii
  • Mild climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Rich cultural diversity
  • Vibrant islands

Hawaii iconHawaii
  • High cost of living
  • Higher traffic levels
  • Limited housing options
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Peaceful lifestyle
  • Strong sense of community

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Hawaii

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited ocean access and moving to Hawaii with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the fewer cultural events of South Dakota for rich cultural diversity in Hawaii
  • Get ready for vibrant islands in Hawaii

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Hawaii

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Dakota to live with a high cost of living in Hawaii
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a peaceful lifestyle and have to settle for the con of higher traffic levels
  • Time to bid farewell to a strong sense of community and get used to limited housing options in Hawaii

South Dakota vs. Hawaii: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
Most iconic local food itemChislicPoke
Most popular meat dishPheasantKalua Pork
Most popular street food itemFry Bread TacosSpam Musubi
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupTaro Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Minervas
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Crawford's Bar & Grill
  • Helena's Hawaiian Food
  • Ono Thai Cuisine
  • Side Street Inn
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 Hawaii, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Poke of Hawaii. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Fry Bread Tacos, Hawaii residents know they have tasty Kalua Pork and Spam Musubi to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Taro Dishes of Hawaii. 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 and Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Hawaii, don't wait too long before making your way to Hawaii's acclaimed eateries like Helena's Hawaiian Food, Ono Thai Cuisine, and Side Street Inn.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Hawaii

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, Split-levelPlantation, Modern
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 lands, Historical landmarksBeach access, Ocean views
  • The Ranch and Split-level architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Plantation and Modern architecture typical of Hawaii.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious lands and historical landmarks, Hawaii real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and ocean views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Hawaii is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Hawaii is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Hawaii has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Hawaii housing costs are 187% more expensive than they are in South Dakota with a median home price of $858,106 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Hawaii have increased by 38% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Hawaii is 146.33% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
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, TornadoesVolcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis
Air QualityGoodVaries (Generally Good)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F78Β°F / 63Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)20-3010-100+ (Varies by location)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)30-600 (Except Mountain Tops)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Hawaii. Hawaii gets 27% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Hawaii 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 volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in Hawaii.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Hawaii is 5 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in Hawaii are 53 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Hawaii. Hawaii receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Hawaii

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
Avg. Household Income$69,728$92,458
Cost of Living Index94.1165.7
State Income Tax0%1.4% - 11%
Avg. Property Tax1.22%0.28%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%4%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, FinanceTourism, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Hawaii tend to earn about 33% more than in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Hawaii will be 76% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from SD to HI, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% to 11%
  • The affluence in Hawaii is high compared to moderate in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Hawaii compared to low in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and high in Hawaii

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Hawaii

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local Politics<a href="https://sdsos.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">State Government</a>State Government
ReligionChristianity PredominantDiverse; Christianity, Buddhism, etc.
  • South Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Hawaii, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Hawaii's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and more
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Hawaii

ComparisonSouth DakotaHawaii
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaii Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChallenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Manoa Elementary (Honolulu)
Noelani Elementary (Honolulu)
Hickam Elementary (Honolulu)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEdison Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Washington Middle School (Honolulu)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Top 3 High SchoolsLincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)
Iolani School (Honolulu)
Punahou School (Honolulu)
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Honolulu)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
James Valley Christian School (Huron)
Dakota Christian School (Corsica)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Kamuela)
Le Jardin Academy (Kailua)
Island Pacific Academy (Kapolei)
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Harrisburg School District
Brandon Valley School District
Hawaii Department of Education (state-run)
Honolulu District
Central Oahu District

Top South Dakota to Hawaii Movers

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

TOP PICK
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Hawaii

8.94/10
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
ALSO GREAT
Ewa Moving Co. featured image

Ewa Moving Co.

8.28/10
Very GoodView details
Top South Dakota to Hawaii Routes

Sioux Falls to Hawaii