Movers

South Dakota to Tennessee Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 1,145 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), 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 BBQ Ribs & Hot Chicken
  • Tennessee housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Tennessee is 41.22% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Tennessee movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

South Dakota to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Tennessee

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Isolated rural areas
  • Limited entertainment
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Milder climate
  • Vibrant city life
  • Rich cultural scene

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Higher state taxes
  • Busy urban centers
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low state taxes
  • Quiet living

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Tennessee

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from isolated rural areas and moving to Tennessee with vibrant city life
  • Swap the limited entertainment of South Dakota for a rich cultural scene in Tennessee

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Tennessee

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low state taxes in South Dakota to live with higher state taxes in Tennessee
  • You'll lose out on the pro of quiet living and have to settle with the con of busy urban centers
  • Time to bid farewell to undefined and get used to undefined in Tennessee

South Dakota vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Most iconic local food itemChislicBBQ Ribs
Most popular meat dishPheasantHot Chicken
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosPulled Pork Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice DishBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • The Sioux Falls Silo
  • Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from South Dakota to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, The Sioux Falls Silo, and Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Central BBQ, and The Rendezvous.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Tennessee

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingNatural landscapes, Spacious yardsMusic scene, Historic neighborhoods
  • The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Tennessee.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference natural landscapes and spacious yards, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like a music scene and historic neighborhoods.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Tennessee is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Tennessee is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Tennessee has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Tennessee housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to South Dakota's $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Tennessee is 41.22% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood, varies in urban areas
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F/60°F89°F/68°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)30°F/10°F49°F/30°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)22-2650-60
Annual Snowfall (Inches)30-605-10
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 9% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 4 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 28 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Tennessee

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Avg. Household Income$69,728$65,254
Cost of Living Index94.188.9
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.2%0.7%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%7%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, FinanceHealthcare, Automotive, Entertainment
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
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Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Tennessee

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Republican
Local PoliticsConservative on most issuesMix of conservative and moderate, with urban areas leaning more liberal
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse denominationsChristianity predominant, with a strong evangelical presence
  • South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Tennessee's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a strong evangelical presence
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity across diverse denominations

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Tennessee

ComparisonSouth DakotaTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChallenge Center - Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls
Harvey Dunn Elementary - Sioux Falls
Lipscomb Elementary - Brentwood
Int'l School of Nashville - Nashville
New Hope Christian Academy - Memphis
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEdison Middle - Sioux Falls
Patrick Henry Middle - Sioux Falls
Whittier Middle - Sioux Falls
Meigs Magnet Middle School - Nashville
Brentwood Middle School - Brentwood
Independence Middle School - Franklin
Top 3 High School SchoolsRoosevelt High - Sioux Falls
Lincoln High - Sioux Falls
Washington High - Sioux Falls
Hume-Fogg Academic High - Nashville
Central Magnet School - Murfreesboro
Franklin High - Franklin
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian - Sioux Falls
St. Thomas More High School - Rapid City
Baylor School - Chattanooga
Montgomery Bell Academy - Nashville
Harpeth Hall School - Nashville
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRapid City Christian School - Rapid City
Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls
Roncalli Catholic High School - Aberdeen
Webb School of Knoxville - Knoxville
University School of Nashville - Nashville
Franklin Road Academy - Nashville
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Brandon Valley School District
Harrisburg School District
Williamson County Schools
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Oak Ridge School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Tennessee Movers Cost?

Moving 1,145 miles from South Dakota to Tennessee will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,852300 ft3$6.17
1 Bedroom$2,755450 ft3$6.12
2 Bedrooms$4,554750 ft3$6.07
3 Bedrooms$6,6241100 ft3$6.02
4 Bedrooms$9,5551600 ft3$5.97
5+ Bedrooms$10,6601800 ft3$5.92

Top South Dakota to Tennessee Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Tennessee

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10