South Dakota to Vermont Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 1,693 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Vermont? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Vermont across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Maple Syrup), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Vermont), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chislic and Pheasant, but get your taste buds ready for Maple Syrup & Maple Glazed Ham
- Vermont housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Vermont is 72.79% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Vermont will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Vermont movers is Lowell's Moving & Storage
Top South Dakota to Vermont Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Vermont movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Lowell's Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Vermont

Dial-A-Move Inc.

Two Men and a Truck
South Dakota to Vermont Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Vermont
- Severe winters
- Lack of diversity
- Flat landscapes
- Fewer job options
- Milder winters
- Culturally rich
- Scenic mountains
- Diverse job market
- Higher cost of living
- More congestion
- Limited urban sprawl
- Less privacy
- Affordable living
- Less traffic
- Wide open spaces
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Vermont
- Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from lack of diversity and moving to Vermont with its culturally rich environment
- Swap the flat landscapes of South Dakota for scenic mountains in Vermont
- Get ready for a diverse job market in Vermont
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Vermont
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living in South Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Vermont
- You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic and have to settle for the con of more congestion
- Time to bid farewell to wide open spaces and get used to limited urban sprawl in Vermont
- Swap close-knit communities for less privacy
South Dakota vs. Vermont: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Maple Syrup |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Maple Glazed Ham |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Maple Creemees |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Apple Cider Doughnuts (Vegan version) |
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 Vermont, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Maple Syrup of Vermont. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Vermont residents know they have tasty Maple Glazed Ham and Maple Creemees to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Apple Cider Doughnuts (Vegan version) of Vermont. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Cattleman's Club Steakhouse, and Minervas. After the boxes are unpacked in Vermont, don't wait too long before making your way to Vermont's acclaimed eateries like Hen of the Wood, Shearer Hill Farm B&B, and The Alchemist.
When comparing lifestyles, Vermont shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Vermont compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Vermont.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Vermont
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Energy efficiency, natural views |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Vermont.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Vermont real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and natural views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Vermont is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Vermont is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Vermont has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Vermont housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $381,042 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Vermont have increased by 50% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Vermont is 72.79% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Vermont
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
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 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes | Severe Storms, Floods, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 80Β°F/59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 27Β°F/9Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 37-45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-60 | 80-100 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Vermont. Vermont gets 26% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Vermont has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible severe storms and tornadoes in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential severe storms, floods, and snowstorms in Vermont.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Vermont is 5 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Vermont. Vermont receives 17 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Vermont
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $73,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 120.5 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.35%-8.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.32% | 1.82% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Finance | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Vermont tend to earn about 6% more than in South Dakota
- The COLI in Vermont will be 28% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from South Dakota to Vermont, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.35% to 8.75%
- The affluence in Vermont is moderate compared to modest in South Dakota
- The poverty level is low in Vermont compared to moderate in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Dakota and moderate in Vermont
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Vermont
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democrat |
Local Politics | Conservative policies | Progressive policies |
Religion | Christian majority | Less religiously affiliated |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Vermont, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democrat
- Vermont's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Vermont
Comparison | South Dakota | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Vermont Middlebury College Champlain College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Endeavor Elem (Harrisburg) | Richmond Elementary (Richmond) Jericho Elementary (Jericho) Underhill ID School (Underhill) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | George McGovern Middle School (Sioux Falls) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Yankton Middle School (Yankton) | Shelburne Community School (Shelburne) Browns River Middle Sch (Jericho) Camels Hump Middle School (Richmond) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | South Burlington High School (South Burlington) Champlain Valley Union High (Hinesburg) St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury) |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran (Watertown) | Burr and Burton Academy (Manchester) St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury) The Putney School (Putney) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Aberdeen Christian School (Aberdeen) Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran (Watertown) | The Putney School (Putney) Long Trail School (Dorset) Vermont Academy (Saxtons River) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Yankton School District | Chittenden East Supervisory Union Burlington School District Essex Westford School District |
How Much Do South Dakota to Vermont Movers Cost?
Moving 1,693 miles from South Dakota to Vermont will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Lowell's Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,162 | 300 ft3 | $7.21 |
1 Bedroom | $3,221 | 450 ft3 | $7.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,331 | 750 ft3 | $7.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,763 | 1100 ft3 | $7.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,212 | 1600 ft3 | $7.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,524 | 1800 ft3 | $6.96 |