South Dakota to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

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.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Idaho

Valley Custom Moving

Dial-A-Move Inc.
South Dakota vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Boise Fry Company Fries |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burgers | Quinoa Salad |
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 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Modern and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to parks | Energy 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Severe storms, tornadoes | Wildfires, earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F / 10Β°F | 35Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 24 | 20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 39 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.22% | 0.76% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Improving |
Homelessness | Low | Managable |
- 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Local policies focus on agricultural and rural interests | Significant emphasis on land rights and outdoor sports |
Religion | Largely Protestant with a significant Catholic minority | Majority 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
Comparison | South Dakota | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Endeavour Elementary (Harrisburg) Journey Elementary (Harrisburg) | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Washington Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | George 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 Schools | Roosevelt 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 schools | O'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 schools | Sioux 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 Districts | Sioux 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,769 | 300 ft3 | $5.90 |
1 Bedroom | $2,631 | 450 ft3 | $5.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,347 | 750 ft3 | $5.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,321 | 1100 ft3 | $5.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,114 | 1600 ft3 | $5.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,163 | 1800 ft3 | $5.65 |