South Dakota to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 748 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs St. Louis Style Pizza), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis Style Pizza & Kansas City Barbecue
- Missouri housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Missouri is 12.12% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Missouri will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Missouri movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Top South Dakota to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Missouri

Tiger Moving LLC

Dial-A-Move Inc.
South Dakota to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Missouri
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Sparse entertainment
- Isolated communities
- Rural healthcare options
- Milder climate
- Thriving industries
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Diverse neighborhoods
- Better healthcare facilities
- Higher crime rates
- Urban sprawl
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer open spaces
- Busier lifestyle
- Low crime rates
- Close-knit communities
- Cost-effective living
- Natural landscapes
- Peaceful atmosphere
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Missouri
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Missouri with thriving industries
- Swap the sparse entertainment of South Dakota for a vibrant cultural scene in Missouri
- Get ready for diverse neighborhoods in Missouri
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low crime rates in South Dakota to live with higher crime rates in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of urban sprawl
- Time to bid farewell to cost-effective living and get used to a higher cost of living in Missouri
- Swap natural landscapes for fewer open spaces
South Dakota vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | St. Louis Style Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Kansas City Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Jackfruit BBQ |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious St. Louis Style Pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Missouri residents know they have tasty Kansas City Barbecue and Toasted Ravioli 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 Jackfruit BBQ of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Mount Rushmore Brewing Company, Al's Oasis, and Minervas. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pizzeoli, and The Blue Owl.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Missouri compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Historic homes, proximity to parks |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Missouri is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Missouri is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Missouri has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Missouri housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Missouri is 12.12% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/60 | 89/67 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30/10 | 40/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 40-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-40 | 20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Missouri. Missouri gets 4% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Missouri has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 4 degrees warmer than South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 20 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Missouri
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.22% | 0.93% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 4.225% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Diverse |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 7% less than those in South Dakota
- The COLI in Missouri is 2% lower than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to MO, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.4%
- The affluence in Missouri is diverse compared to moderate affluence in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to low poverty in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and moderate in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Missouri
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State, with recent lean towards Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, moderate in urban areas | Mixed, with conservative rural areas and liberal urban centers |
Religion | Majority Protestant, with a significant Catholic minority | Majority Protestant, with a diverse religious landscape in urban areas |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, with a recent lean towards Republican
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as majority Protestant, with a diverse religious landscape in urban areas
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Protestant, with a significant Catholic minority
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Missouri
Comparison | South Dakota | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Dakota South Dakota State University Augustana University | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls Fred Assam Elementary - Brandon | Concord Elementary - Saint Louis Claymont Elementary - Ballwin Mason Ridge Elementary - Town and Country |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Edison Middle School - Sioux Falls Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls George McGovern Middle School - Sioux Falls | Ladue Middle School - Ladue John Burroughs School - Ladue Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City |
Top 3 High School Schools | Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls Brookings High School - Brookings | Clayton High School - Clayton Ladue Horton Watkins High School - Ladue Central High School - Springfield |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown | John Burroughs School - Ladue Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City St. Louis University High School - St. Louis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Christian Center Elementary - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Dakota Christian School - Corsica | Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City John Burroughs School - Ladue The Fulton School at St. Albans - Saint Albans |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Brandon Valley School District Brookings School District | Clayton School District Ladue School District Park Hill School District |
How Much Do South Dakota to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 748 miles from South Dakota to Missouri will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,627 | 300 ft3 | $5.42 |
1 Bedroom | $2,417 | 450 ft3 | $5.37 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,991 | 750 ft3 | $5.32 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,799 | 1100 ft3 | $5.27 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,355 | 1600 ft3 | $5.22 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,309 | 1800 ft3 | $5.17 |