South Dakota to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 596 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chislic vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (ranch vs cape cod), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Wisconsin is 5.03% more expensive than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
South Dakota to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Wisconsin
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Rural isolation
- Few entertainment options
- Milder winters
- Diverse job opportunities
- Urban conveniences
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Higher cost of living
- Denser urban areas
- Busier traffic
- Adjustment to new lifestyle
- Low cost of living
- Scenic landscapes
- Small-town charm
- Familiar communities
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Wisconsin with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the rural isolation of South Dakota for urban conveniences in Wisconsin
- Get ready for a vibrant cultural scene in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Dakota to live with a higher cost of living in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle for the con of denser urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to busier traffic in Wisconsin
- Swap familiar communities for the adjustment to a new lifestyle
South Dakota vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Bratwurst |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Dishes | Cheese-less Curds |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Bratwurst to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Cheese-less Curds of Wisconsin. 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 & Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Culver's, Mader's, and The Old Fashioned.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Lakeside access, energy efficiency |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than South Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 1% less expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 5.03% more expensive than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Severe Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 82Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F/10Β°F | 28Β°F/13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20-30 | 30-35 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 30-60 | 40-50 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Dakota to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 17% fewer sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower 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 tornadoes and severe snowstorms in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows in Wisconsin are 3 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 10 more inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.2% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 5.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Rare | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 2% more than in South Dakota
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 2% higher than what you are used to living in South Dakota
- Bummer... By moving from SD to WI, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.65%
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate in South Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in South Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is rare in South Dakota and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Republican-leaning | Swing state, with a mix of Republican and Democrat support |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, with some liberal leanings in urban centers like Sioux Falls | Mixed, with conservative rural areas and more liberal urban centers such as Milwaukee and Madison |
Religion | Christianity predominantly, with significant Lutheran and Catholic communities | Christianity predominantly, with a diversity of beliefs including Lutheran, Catholic, and a growing population of non-religious |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a mix of Republican and Democrat support
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a diversity of beliefs including Lutheran, Catholic, and a growing population of non-religious
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with significant Lutheran and Catholic communities
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Wisconsin
Comparison | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Corona Elementary School (Corona) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) | Randall Consolidated School (Burlington) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Swallow Elementary School (Hartland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Yankton Middle School (Yankton) | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | Brookfield Central High School (Brookfield) Cedarburg High School (Cedarburg) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Roncalli Primary School (Aberdeen) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) Prairie School (Racine) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Aberdeen School District Brookings School District | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Mequon-Thiensville School District |
How Much Do South Dakota to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 596 miles from South Dakota to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,540 | 300 ft3 | $5.13 |
1 Bedroom | $2,288 | 450 ft3 | $5.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,776 | 750 ft3 | $5.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,483 | 1100 ft3 | $4.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,895 | 1600 ft3 | $4.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,792 | 1800 ft3 | $4.88 |
Top South Dakota to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.