SD to ID Moving Specialists

South Dakota to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 999 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Chislic vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (ranch vs modern and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Trout
  • Idaho housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Idaho is 35.70% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

Top South Dakota to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Idaho

9.50/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.95/10
Superb

South Dakota vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
Most iconic local food itemChislicIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishPheasantIdaho Trout
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosBoise Fry Company Fries
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice BurgersQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Cattleman's Club Steakhouse
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Fork
  • Alchemy
  • Westside Drive-In
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Boise Fry Company Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Cattleman's Club Steakhouse, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minervas. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Fork, Alchemy, and Westside Drive-In.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Idaho

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleRanchModern and Craftsman
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 listingLarge yards, proximity to parksEnergy efficiency, open concept living
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to parks, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open concept living.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Idaho is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Idaho is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Idaho has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Idaho housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Idaho is 35.70% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
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, tornadoesWildfires, earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F35Β°F / 15Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2420
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3960
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Idaho. Idaho gets 3% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Idaho has lower 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is the same as South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Idaho

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
Avg. Household Income$69,728$72,785
Cost of Living Index94.191.5
State Income Tax0%5.8%
Avg. Property Tax1.22%0.76%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TourismAgriculture, Manufacturing, Technology
AffluenceModerateGrowing
PovertyModerateImproving
HomelessnessLowManagable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 4% more than those in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Idaho will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from SD to ID, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.8%
  • The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to moderate affluence in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is improving in Idaho compared to moderate poverty in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and manageable in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Idaho

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsLocal policies focus on agricultural and rural interestsSignificant emphasis on land rights and outdoor sports
ReligionLargely Protestant with a significant Catholic minorityMajority Protestant with a notable LDS (Mormon) community
  • South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as majority Protestant with a notable LDS (Mormon) community
  • 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 Idaho

ComparisonSouth DakotaIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Dakota State University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsDiscovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Endeavour Elementary (Harrisburg)
Journey Elementary (Harrisburg)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
Washington Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGeorge S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls)
North Junior High School (Boise)
Lakeside Elementary/Jr High (Plummer)
West Middle School (Boise)
Top 3 High School SchoolsRoosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
Boise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Borah High School (Boise)
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls)
Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen)
Dakota Christian School (Corsica)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Cole Valley Christian Schools (Meridian)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Harrisburg School District
Brookings School District
Boise School District
West Ada School District
Blaine County School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 999 miles from South Dakota to Idaho will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,769300 ft3$5.90
1 Bedroom$2,631450 ft3$5.85
2 Bedrooms$4,347750 ft3$5.80
3 Bedrooms$6,3211100 ft3$5.75
4 Bedrooms$9,1141600 ft3$5.70
5+ Bedrooms$10,1631800 ft3$5.65
Top South Dakota to Idaho Routes

Sioux Falls to Idaho