South Dakota to Hawaii Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited ocean access
- Fewer cultural events
- Rural isolation
- Mild climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Rich cultural diversity
- Vibrant islands
- High cost of living
- Higher traffic levels
- Limited housing options
- 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Poke |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Kalua Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread Tacos | Spam Musubi |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Taro Dishes |
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 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Plantation, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lands, Historical landmarks | Beach 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis |
Air Quality | Good | Varies (Generally Good) |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F / 10Β°F | 78Β°F / 63Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 10-100+ (Varies by location) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-60 | 0 (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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $92,458 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 165.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4% - 11% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.22% | 0.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance | Tourism, Defense, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | <a href="https://sdsos.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">State Government</a> | State Government |
Religion | Christianity Predominant | Diverse; 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) | Manoa Elementary (Honolulu) Noelani Elementary (Honolulu) Hickam Elementary (Honolulu) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Edison 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 Schools | Lincoln 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 schools | O'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 schools | Sioux 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 Districts | Sioux 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.