SD to RI Moving Specialists

South Dakota to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 1,686 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Stuffies), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Stuffies & Clam Cakes
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 74.86% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Rhode Island movers is Dial-A-Move Inc.

Top South Dakota to Rhode Island Movers

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

TOP PICK
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Rhode Island

8.95/10
Superb
RUNNER-UP
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.92/10
Superb
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move featured image

Dial-A-Move

8.28/10
Very Good

South Dakota to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Rhode Island

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Remote locations
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Limited cultural events
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Milder winters
  • Close-knit communities
  • Diverse job market
  • Vibrant arts scene

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher cost of living
  • Limited open spaces
  • Higher crime rates
  • Heavy traffic
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Scenic natural beauty
  • Low crime rates
  • No traffic congestion

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from remote locations and moving to Rhode Island with close-knit communities
  • Swap the fewer job opportunities of South Dakota for a diverse job market in Rhode Island
  • Get ready for a vibrant arts scene in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in South Dakota to live with the higher cost of living in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of scenic natural beauty and have to settle for the con of limited open spaces
  • Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in Rhode Island
  • Swap no traffic congestion for heavy traffic

South Dakota vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemChislicStuffies
Most popular meat dishBison SteakClam Cakes
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosHot Wieners
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice DishesDel’s Lemonade
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Cattleman's Steakhouse
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Al Forno
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
  • Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar
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 Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Stuffies of Rhode Island. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Clam Cakes and Hot Wieners 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 Del’s Lemonade of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Cattleman's Steakhouse, Phillips Avenue Diner, and Minervas. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Rhode Island

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
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, garagesCoastal views, historic features
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic elements.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in South Dakota with a median home price of $451,868 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 74.86% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
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 DisastersBlizzards, TornadoesHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGenerally GoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6082/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30/1040/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2650
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3933
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 11% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower 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 nor'easters in Rhode Island.
  • The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 10 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 24 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Rhode Island

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$69,728$81,854
Cost of Living Index94.1123.3
State Income Tax0%3.75% - 5.99%
Avg. Property Tax1.22%1.63%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%7%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TourismHealthcare, Education, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowerModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 17% more than in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Rhode Island will be 31% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from SD to RI, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.75% - 5.99%
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to lower in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and moderate in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
Political Make-upTraditionally RepublicanPrimarily Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative leanings, emphasis on-state rightsLiberal policies, strong union presence
ReligionMajority Protestant, with a significant Catholic minorityPredominantly Catholic, diverse religious communities
  • South Dakota tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
  • Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Catholic and diverse religious communities
  • 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 Rhode Island

ComparisonSouth DakotaRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsDiscovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Explorer Elementary (Harrisburg)
Pinedale Elementary (Rapid City)
Rockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Nayatt School (Barrington)
Community School (Cumberland)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGeorge S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Barrington Middle School (Barrington)
Gallagher Middle School (Smithfield)
Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown)
Top 3 High School SchoolsRoosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Brookings High School (Brookings)
Classical High School (Providence)
Barrington High School (Barrington)
East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich)
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSF Lutheran School (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran (Watertown)
Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Lincoln School (Providence)
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Harrisburg School District
Barrington School District
East Greenwich Public Schools
Cumberland School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 1,686 miles from South Dakota to Rhode Island 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 - $7,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Two Men and a Truck
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,158300 ft3$7.19
1 Bedroom$3,215450 ft3$7.14
2 Bedrooms$5,321750 ft3$7.09
3 Bedrooms$7,7491100 ft3$7.04
4 Bedrooms$11,1911600 ft3$6.99
5+ Bedrooms$12,5001800 ft3$6.94
Top South Dakota to Rhode Island Routes

Sioux Falls to Rhode Island