South Dakota to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,547 mile interstate move from South Dakota to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like remote rural areas vs vibrant urban life), food & health (like Chislic vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
- New Jersey housing costs are 72% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in New Jersey is 105.94% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
South Dakota to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to New Jersey
- Remote rural areas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer entertainment options
- Sparse public transport
- Vibrant urban life
- Milder climate
- Abundant opportunities
- Cultural diversity
- Extensive transit networks
- Higher expenses
- Faster pace of life
- Urban congestion
- Anonymity in cities
- Heavy traffic
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter lifestyle
- Open landscapes
- Close-knit communities
- Lack of traffic
Pros of moving from South Dakota to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to remote rural areas and hello to vibrant urban life
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to New Jersey with milder climate
- Swap the limited job market of South Dakota for abundant opportunities in New Jersey
- Get ready for cultural diversity in New Jersey
Cons of moving from South Dakota to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in South Dakota to live with the higher expenses in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle with the con of a faster pace of life
- Time to bid farewell to open landscapes and get used to urban congestion in New Jersey
- Swap close-knit communities for anonymity in cities
South Dakota vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Italian Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Vegan Pizza |
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 New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pizza of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Cattleman's Club Steakhouse, Minervas, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Rat's Restaurant, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and Carlo's Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey, compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and New Jersey
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious land, scenic views | Proximity to public transportation, urban amenities |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious land and scenic views, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transportation and urban amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- New Jersey housing costs are 72% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in New Jersey is 105.94% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and New Jersey
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F / 10Β°F | 40Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 24" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 39" | 24" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 9% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- New Jersey has lower humidity and a lower 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 hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
- The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is the same as in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 23 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and New Jersey
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1.4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.22% | 2.21% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Finance, Pharmaceutical, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 38% more than those in South Dakota
- The COLI in New Jersey is 38% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to NJ, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% - 10.75%
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to low in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. New Jersey
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Liberal/Democrat |
Local Politics | Smaller, community-focused | Highly diverse, urban influences |
Religion | Protestant majority | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence |
- South Dakota tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democrat
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic presence
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to New Jersey
Comparison | South Dakota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Dakota South Dakota State University Dakota State University | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg) Fred Assam Elementary (Brandon) | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Riverside Elementary School (Princeton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) George McGovern Middle School (Sioux Falls) | Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Brookings High School (Brookings) | Princeton High School (Princeton) High Technology High School (Lincroft) Millburn High School (Millburn) |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Dakota Christian School (Corsica) | The Pennington School (Pennington) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Harrisburg School District | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools |
How Much Do South Dakota to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 1,547 miles from South Dakota to New Jersey will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,080 | 300 ft3 | $6.93 |
1 Bedroom | $3,097 | 450 ft3 | $6.88 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,124 | 750 ft3 | $6.83 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,460 | 1100 ft3 | $6.78 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,771 | 1600 ft3 | $6.73 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,027 | 1800 ft3 | $6.68 |
Top South Dakota to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to New Jersey