South Dakota to Louisiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Louisiana

ConsSouth Dakota

• Harsh winters
• Limited job market
• Isolation
• Sparse population
• Basic cuisine options

ProsLouisiana

• Mild winters
• Diverse job opportunities
• Rich culture and social life
• Lively communities
• Cajun and Creole cuisine

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Louisiana

• Higher cost of living
• Risk of hurricanes
• Urban sprawl
• Higher crime rates
• Hot, humid climate

South Dakota

• Lower cost of living
• Scenic landscapes
• Close-knit communities
• Low crime rates
• Peaceful lifestyle

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Louisiana

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
• Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Louisiana with diverse job opportunities
• Swap the isolation of South Dakota for a rich culture and social life in Louisiana
• Get ready for lively communities in Louisiana

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Louisiana

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in South Dakota to live with the higher cost of living in Louisiana
• You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle for the con of the risk of hurricanes
• Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to urban sprawl in Louisiana
• Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates

South Dakota vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from South Dakota to Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boy sandwiches 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 Okra Gumbo of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and The Capitol. After the boxes are unpacked in Louisiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Louisiana's acclaimed eateries like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Café du Monde.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Louisiana

• The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and French Creole architecture typical of Louisiana.
• Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and attached garages, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and waterfront access.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than South Dakota.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
• Louisiana has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
• Louisiana housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
• Rent in Louisiana is 10.55% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 1% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
• Louisiana 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 hurricanes and floods in Louisiana.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 6 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
• The average winter lows are 32 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 36 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Louisiana

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 21% less than in South Dakota
• The COLI in Louisiana will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
• Bummer... By moving from SD to LA, you'll now have a state income tax of 2% to 6%
• The affluence in Louisiana is moderate compared to modest in South Dakota
• The poverty level is high in Louisiana compared to low in South Dakota
• In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in South Dakota and high in Louisiana

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Louisiana

• South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
• Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as Democrat-leaning
• Louisiana's religious environment can be described as Christian, predominantly Catholic
• South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, predominantly Lutheran

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Louisiana

How Much Do South Dakota to Louisiana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,224 miles from South Dakota to Louisiana will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.