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South Dakota to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 938 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Fry sauce), real estate & housing (ranch-style homes vs craftsman-style homes), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Fry sauce & Utah scones
  • Utah housing costs are 74% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
  • Rent in Utah is 41.47% more expensive than in South Dakota
  • Moving from South Dakota to Utah will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended South Dakota to Utah movers is 801 Moving Company

South Dakota to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Utah

ConsSouth Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited cultural events
  • Rural isolation
  • Poor air connectivity
  • Flat landscapes
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Milder winters
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Urban conveniences
  • Major airports
  • Mountain vistas

Utah iconUtah
  • Higher expenses
  • Busy lifestyle
  • City anonymity
  • Increasing population
  • Congestion
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Low cost of living
  • Quiet pace
  • Community feel
  • Wide-open spaces
  • Low traffic

Pros of moving from South Dakota to Utah

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to Utah with a vibrant cultural scene
  • Swap the rural isolation of South Dakota for urban conveniences in Utah
  • Get ready for major airports in Utah

Cons of moving from South Dakota to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in South Dakota to live with higher expenses in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet pace and have to settle for the con of a busy lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to the community feel and get used to city anonymity in Utah
  • Swap wide-open spaces for an increasing population

South Dakota vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
Most iconic local food itemChislicFry sauce
Most popular meat dishPheasantUtah scones
Most popular street food itemIndian tacosPastrami burgers
Most popular vegan foodWild rice dishVegan burritos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Crawford's Bar & Grill
  • J Dawgs
  • HSL
  • Pretty Bird
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from South Dakota to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Fry Sauce of Utah. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones and Pastrami Burgers 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 Vegan Burritos of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and Crawford's Bar and Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like J Dawgs, HSL, and Pretty Bird.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Utah

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleRanch-style homesCraftsman-style homes
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, garage spaceEnergy efficiency, smart home features
  • The Ranch-style homes architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman-style homes architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage space, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and smart home features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Utah is more walkable than South Dakota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
  • Utah housing costs are 74% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to South Dakota’s $299,062.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
  • Rent in Utah is 41.47% more expensive than in South Dakota.

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

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
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 DisastersTornados, BlizzardsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°/60Β°90Β°/65Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°/10Β°37Β°/20Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)23"20"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)39"56"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Utah. Utah gets 5% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
  • Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 5 degrees warmer than in South Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to South Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Utah

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
Avg. Household Income$69,728$89,168
Cost of Living Index94.195.75
State Income Tax0%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax1.22%0.58%
Avg. Sales Tax6.4%7.2%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Retail, TourismTechnology, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModestModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessRareIncreasing
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 28% more than in South Dakota
  • The COLI in Utah will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
  • Bummer... By moving from SD to UT, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95%
  • The affluence in Utah is moderate compared to modest in South Dakota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Utah compared to low in South Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is rare in South Dakota and increasing in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Utah

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
Political Make-upLean ConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsMix of local governance styles, with a trend towards Republican leadershipStrong Republican influence, especially in state governance
ReligionChristianity dominant, with a mix including Protestant and Catholic denominationsLDS Church (Mormon) highly influential, alongside other Christian denominations
  • South Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as highly influenced by the LDS Church (Mormon), alongside other Christian denominations
  • South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity, with a mix including Protestant and Catholic denominations

Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Utah

ComparisonSouth DakotaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Dakota State University
University of Utah
Utah State University
Brigham Young University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChallenge Center - Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls
Fred Assam Elementary - Sioux Falls
Edgemont Elementary - Provo
Oakridge Elementary - Salt Lake City
Wasatch Elementary - Salt Lake City
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPatrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls
Whittier Middle School - Sioux Falls
George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings
Centennial Middle School - Provo
Bryant Middle School - Salt Lake City
Fairfield Jr. High - Kaysville
Top 3 High School SchoolsRoosevelt High School - Sioux Falls
Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls
Washington High School - Sioux Falls
Academy for Math
Engineering & Science - Salt Lake City
Northern Utah Academy for Math
Engineering & Science - Layton
Timpview High School - Provo
Top 3 private high schoolsO'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls
Roncalli High School - Aberdeen
Rowland Hall - Salt Lake City
Waterford School - Sandy
Judge Memorial Catholic High School - Salt Lake City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Madeleine Choir School - Salt Lake City
Layton Christian Academy - Layton
American Heritage School - American Fork
Top 3 School DistrictsSioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Harrisburg School District
Park City School District
Davis School District
Canyons School District

How Much Do South Dakota to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 938 miles from South Dakota to Utah 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: 801 Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,734300 ft3$5.78
1 Bedroom$2,579450 ft3$5.73
2 Bedrooms$4,261750 ft3$5.68
3 Bedrooms$6,1941100 ft3$5.63
4 Bedrooms$8,9291600 ft3$5.58
5+ Bedrooms$9,9561800 ft3$5.53

Top South Dakota to Utah Movers

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

TOP PICK
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Utah

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Best of Utah Moving Company featured image

Best of Utah Moving Company

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

Dial-A-Move Inc.

8.94/10
Top South Dakota to Utah Routes

Sioux Falls to Utah