South Dakota to Nebraska Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 213 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Nebraska? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Nebraska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Cornhusker beef), real estate & housing (ranch vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Cornhusker beef & Prime Rib
- Nebraska housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Nebraska is 7.25% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Nebraska will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Nebraska movers is King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
South Dakota to Nebraska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Nebraska
- Harsh Winters
- Remote Locations
- Limited Job Market
- Higher State Taxes
- Milder Climate
- Accessible Amenities
- Diverse Opportunities
- Lower State Taxes
- Flatter Terrain
- Increased Traffic
- More Urbanized Areas
- Less Wildlife Diversity
- Scenic Landscapes
- Low Traffic Levels
- Close-knit Communities
- Unique Wildlife
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Nebraska
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Nebraska with accessible amenities
- Swap the limited job market of South Dakota for diverse opportunities in Nebraska
- Get ready for lower state taxes in Nebraska
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Nebraska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in South Dakota to live with flatter terrain in Nebraska
- You'll lose out on the pro of low traffic levels and have to settle with the con of increased traffic
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to more urbanized areas in Nebraska
- Swap unique wildlife for less wildlife diversity
South Dakota vs. Nebraska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Cornhusker beef |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Prime Rib |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Rueben Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Kombucha and Grain Salads | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Nebraska, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Cornhusker beef of Nebraska. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Nebraska residents know they have tasty Prime Rib and Reuben Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kombucha and Grain Salads they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Nebraska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Carnaval Brazilian Grill, Minervas, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Nebraska, don't wait too long before making your way to Nebraska's acclaimed eateries like The Drover, Lazlo's Brewery and Grill, and Misty's Steakhouse and Brewery.
When comparing lifestyles, Nebraska shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Nebraska compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Nebraska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Nebraska
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, views | Energy efficiency, modern amenities |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Nebraska.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and views, Nebraska real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Nebraska is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Nebraska is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Nebraska has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Nebraska housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $257,167 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nebraska have increased by 47% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Nebraska is 7.25% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Nebraska
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Hail Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 87Β°F/62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 35Β°F/15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 28" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 39" | 28" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Nebraska. Nebraska gets 6% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Nebraska has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail storms in Nebraska.
- The average summer high temperature in Nebraska is 2 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Nebraska. Nebraska receives 8 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Nebraska
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $69,597 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 90.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.84% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.32% | 1.77% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Finance, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Insurance, Transportation |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nebraska tend to earn about 0% less than in South Dakota
- The COLI in Nebraska will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to NE, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.84%
- The affluence in Nebraska is moderate compared to moderate in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Nebraska compared to low in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and low in Nebraska
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Nebraska
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Mixed, with Republican Lean |
Religion | Christian Majority | Christian Majority |
- South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Nebraska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Conservative
- Nebraska's religious environment can be described as a Christian Majority
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian Majority
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Nebraska
Comparison | South Dakota | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Dakota South Dakota State University Dakota State University | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) | Brownell Elementary (Lincoln) Prairie Lane Elementary (Omaha) Swanson Elementary (Omaha) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) | Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Elkhorn Ridge Middle School (Elkhorn) Kiewit Middle School (Omaha) |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | Lincoln East High School (Lincoln) Millard North High School (Omaha) Elkhorn South High School (Elkhorn) |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) | Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School (Omaha) Creighton Preparatory School (Omaha) Duchesne Academy (Omaha) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran (Watertown) Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen) | Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Omaha Christian Academy (Omaha) Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha (Omaha) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brookings School District | Elkhorn Public Schools Millard Public Schools Lincoln Public Schools |
How Much Do South Dakota to Nebraska Movers Cost?
Moving 213 miles from South Dakota to Nebraska will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,323 | 300 ft3 | $4.41 |
1 Bedroom | $1,962 | 450 ft3 | $4.36 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,233 | 750 ft3 | $4.31 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,687 | 1100 ft3 | $4.26 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,737 | 1600 ft3 | $4.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,489 | 1800 ft3 | $4.16 |
Top South Dakota to Nebraska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Nebraska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Nebraska