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South Dakota to Oregon Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,419 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Marionberry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry Pie & Dungeness Crab
  • Oregon housing costs are 67% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Oregon is 48.31% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Oregon will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving

South Dakota to Oregon Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Oregon

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Flat terrain
  • Fewer cultural events
ProsOregon iconOregon
  • Mild winters
  • Robust job opportunities
  • Diverse landscapes
  • Vibrant cultural scene

Oregon iconOregon
  • Higher cost of living
  • Competitive job market
  • Heavy traffic
  • More transient populations
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly communities
  • Less traffic
  • Strong local traditions

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Oregon

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oregon with robust job opportunities
  • Swap the flat terrain of South Dakota for diverse landscapes in Oregon
  • Get ready for a vibrant cultural scene in Oregon

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Oregon

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Oregon
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle with the con of a competitive job market
  • Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to heavy traffic in Oregon
  • Swap strong local traditions for more transient populations

South Dakota vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Most iconic local food itemChislicMarionberry Pie
Most popular meat dishPheasantDungeness Crab
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosFood Trucks: Asian Fusion
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice DishesTempeh
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pok Pok
  • Vedge Co.
  • Screen Door
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from South Dakota to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Asian Fusion food trucks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Cactus Blossom CafΓ©, and Minervas. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Vedge Co., and Screen Door.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Oregon

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Typical Architecture StyleRanchCraftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, GarageEco-friendly features, Proximity to nature
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Oregon.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly benefits and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oregon is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oregon is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Oregon has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Oregon housing costs are 67% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Oregon is 48.31% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSevere Storms, TornadoesWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 60Β°F81Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F48Β°F / 35Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)20-3040-60
Annual Snowfall (Inches)30-4025-30
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Oregon. Oregon gets 32% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Oregon has higher 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Oregon.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 4 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 25 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 20 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Oregon

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Avg. Household Income$69,728$75,657
Cost of Living Index94.1110.55
State Income Tax0%4.75% - 9.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.3%1.1%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, ManufacturingHigh Tech, Outdoor Recreation, Agriculture
AffluenceModestAdequate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 9% more than those in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Oregon will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from South Dakota to Oregon, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.75% to 9.9%
  • The affluence in Oregon is adequate compared to modest affluence in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is low in Oregon compared to moderate poverty in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and high in Oregon

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Oregon

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Dominance
ReligionChristianity PredominantDiverse, Less Religious Overall
  • South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Oregon's religious environment can be described as diverse and less religious overall
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Oregon

ComparisonSouth DakotaOregon
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Augustana University
University of Oregon
Oregon State University
Portland State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsDiscovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
JFK Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Ainsworth Elementary (Portland)
Findley Elementary (Portland)
Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGeorge S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego)
Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton)
Stoller Middle School (Portland)
Top 3 High SchoolsLincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)
South Eugene High School (Eugene)
Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego)
Corvallis High School (Corvallis)
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Lutheran School (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)
Catlin Gabel School (Portland)
Oregon Episcopal School (Portland)
St. Mary's Academy (Portland)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Mitchell Christian School (Mitchell)
Delphian School (Sheridan)
Catlin Gabel School (Portland)
Oregon Episcopal School (Portland)
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Harrisburg School District
Brookings School District
Lake Oswego School District
West Linn-Wilsonville School District
Riverdale School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Oregon Movers Cost?

Moving 1,419 miles from South Dakota to Oregon 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.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,007300 ft3$6.69
1 Bedroom$2,988450 ft3$6.64
2 Bedrooms$4,942750 ft3$6.59
3 Bedrooms$7,1941100 ft3$6.54
4 Bedrooms$10,3841600 ft3$6.49
5+ Bedrooms$11,5921800 ft3$6.44

Top South Dakota to Oregon Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Pacific Northwest Moving featured image

Pacific Northwest Moving

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Oregon

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Elite Relocation Services featured image

Elite Relocation Services

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
Top South Dakota to Oregon Routes

Sioux Falls to Oregon