Movers

South Dakota to Texas Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Few urban amenities
  • Remote location
  • Sparse entertainment
ProsTexas iconTexas
  • Milder climate
  • Vibrant economy
  • Big city attractions
  • More connectivity
  • Dynamic nightlife

Texas iconTexas
  • Busy traffic
  • Higher housing prices
  • Anonymous feel
  • Higher crime rates
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
Most iconic local food itemChislicTexas Brisket
Most popular meat dishBison steaksBBQ Ribs
Most popular street food itemIndian TacosTacos al Pastor
Most popular vegan foodKombuchaVegan Tex-Mex
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Mount Rushmore's Carvers' CafΓ©
  • Cattleman's Club Steakhouse
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
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 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
Typical Architecture StyleRanchRanch, Spanish, Modern
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 listingLarge plots, Nature viewsSpacious 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 Dakota’s $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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
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 DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/5594/72
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30/-660/38
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2336
Annual Snowfall (Inches)381
  • 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
Avg. Household Income$69,728$72,284
Cost of Living Index94.191.1
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.22%1.80%
Avg. Sales Tax4.5%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, ManufacturingOil & Gas, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • The income comparison is null
  • The cost of living comparison is null
  • The income tax message is null
  • The affluence in {to_city} is {to_affluence} compared to {from_affluence} in {from_city}
  • The poverty level is {to_poverty} in {to_city} compared to {from_poverty} in {from_city}
  • In terms of homelessness, it is {from_homelessness} in {from_city} and {to_homelessness} in {to_city}

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Texas

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
Political Make-upLean ConservativeMixed, with a Conservative trend
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceRepublican Dominance in rural areas, Democratic in urban
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with a Protestant majorityPrimarily 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

ComparisonSouth DakotaTexas
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 SchoolsChallenge 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 SchoolsO'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 SchoolsLincoln 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 schoolsO'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 schoolsRapid 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 DistrictsSioux 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,723300 ft3$5.74
1 Bedroom$2,562450 ft3$5.69
2 Bedrooms$4,232750 ft3$5.64
3 Bedrooms$6,1521100 ft3$5.59
4 Bedrooms$8,8691600 ft3$5.54
5+ Bedrooms$9,8881800 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.

TOP PICK
Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery featured image

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Texas

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC featured image

New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Dial-A-Move Inc. featured image

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10