South Dakota to Texas Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 918 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Chislic vs Texas Brisket), real estate & housing (ranch vs ranch, spanish, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Bison steaks, but get your taste buds ready for Texas Brisket & BBQ Ribs
- Texas housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Texas is 42.21% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Texas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
South Dakota to Texas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Texas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Few urban amenities
- Remote location
- Sparse entertainment
- Milder climate
- Vibrant economy
- Big city attractions
- More connectivity
- Dynamic nightlife
- Busy traffic
- Higher housing prices
- Anonymous feel
- Higher crime rates
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Peaceful lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Close-knit community
- Low crime rates
- Simple living
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Texas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Texas with a vibrant economy
- Swap the few urban amenities of South Dakota for big city attractions in Texas
- Get ready for more connectivity in Texas
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Texas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a peaceful lifestyle in South Dakota to live with busy traffic in Texas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher housing prices
- Time to bid farewell to a close-knit community and get used to an anonymous feel in Texas
- Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates
South Dakota vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Texas Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steaks | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Tacos al Pastor |
Most popular vegan food | Kombucha | Vegan Tex-Mex |
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 Texas, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Texas Brisket. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison steaks and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Texas residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and Tacos al Pastor to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kombucha they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tex-Mex of Texas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Mount Rushmore's Carvers' CafΓ©, Cattleman's Club Steakhouse, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas' acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, The Salt Lick, and Houston's Breakfast Klub.
When comparing lifestyles, Texas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Texas compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Texas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Texas
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Ranch, Spanish, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large plots, Nature views | Spacious interiors, Energy efficiency |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch, Spanish, and Modern architecture typical of Texas.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference large plots and nature views, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious interiors and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Texas is less walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Texas is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Texas has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Texas housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Texas is 42.21% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Texas
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/55 | 94/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30/-6 | 60/38 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 23 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Texas. Texas gets 9% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Texas 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 9 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 44 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Texas. Texas receives 13 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Texas
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $72,284 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 91.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.22% | 1.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Oil & Gas, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
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Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Texas
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Mixed, with a Conservative trend |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Republican Dominance in rural areas, Democratic in urban |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a Protestant majority | Primarily Christian, diverse denominational landscape |
- South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Texas, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a Conservative trend
- Texas's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a diverse denominational landscape
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Texas
Comparison | South Dakota | Texas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center - Sioux Falls Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls Rosa Parks Elementary - Sioux Falls | Tatom Elementary - Midland West University Elementary - Houston Carver Elementary - Maplewood |
Top 3 Middle Schools | O'Gorman Junior High - Sioux Falls Edison Middle School - Sioux Falls Whittier Middle School - Sioux Falls | Coppell Middle East - Coppell William P. Hobby Middle School - San Antonio Fort Settlement Middle - Sugar Land |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High - Sioux Falls Brookings High - Brookings | Liberal Arts and Science Academy - Austin School for the Talented and Gifted - Dallas Westlake High - Austin |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Christian - Sioux Falls Great Plains Lutheran - Watertown | St. Mark's School of Texas - Dallas The Hockaday School - Dallas Greenhill School - Addison |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rapid City Christian School - Rapid City Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls Dakota Christian School - Corsica | The John Cooper School - The Woodlands Kincaid School - Houston Greenhill School - Addison |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Brookings School District Harrisburg School District | Eanes ISD - Austin Carroll ISD - Southlake Highland Park ISD - Dallas |
How Much Do South Dakota to Texas Movers Cost?
Moving 918 miles from South Dakota to Texas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,723 | 300 ft3 | $5.74 |
1 Bedroom | $2,562 | 450 ft3 | $5.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,232 | 750 ft3 | $5.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,152 | 1100 ft3 | $5.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,869 | 1600 ft3 | $5.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,888 | 1800 ft3 | $5.49 |
Top South Dakota to Texas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Texas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Texas