South Dakota to Wyoming Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 497 mile interstate move from South Dakota to Wyoming? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Dakota vs Wyoming across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs lighter snowfalls), food & health (like Chislic vs Bison Steak), real estate & housing (ranch vs mountain rustic), 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 Bison Steak & Elk Meatloaf
- Wyoming housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in South Dakota
- Rent in Wyoming is 7.67% more affordable than in South Dakota
- Moving from South Dakota to Wyoming will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended South Dakota to Wyoming movers is Teton Movers LLC
South Dakota to Wyoming Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Dakota to Wyoming
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Low population density
- Few entertainment options
- Flat landscapes
- Lighter snowfalls
- Diverse employment
- Lively communities
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Mountainous terrain
- Higher living costs
- Less hospitable regions
- Busy tourist areas
- Fewer landmarks
- Low cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Rural tranquility
- Historical sites
Pros of moving from South Dakota to Wyoming
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to lighter snowfalls
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Wyoming with diverse employment
- Swap the low population density of South Dakota for lively communities in Wyoming
- Get ready for a vibrant cultural scene in Wyoming
Cons of moving from South Dakota to Wyoming
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Dakota to live with higher living costs in Wyoming
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of less hospitable regions
- Time to bid farewell to rural tranquility and get used to busy tourist areas in Wyoming
- Swap historical sites for fewer landmarks
South Dakota vs. Wyoming: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chislic | Bison Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Pheasant | Elk Meatloaf |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Buffalo Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Stew | Quinoa Salad |
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 Wyoming, you will be trading the iconic Chislic of South Dakota for the equally delicious Bison Steak of Wyoming. And while the locals in South Dakota rave about their flavorful Pheasant and sumptuous Indian Tacos, Wyoming residents know they have tasty Elk Meatloaf and Buffalo Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Wyoming. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Dakota eateries like Minervas, Carnaval Brazilian Grill, and Phillips Avenue Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Wyoming, don't wait too long before making your way to Wyoming's acclaimed eateries like King's Saddlery, Teton Kitchen, and Lotus Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Wyoming shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wyoming compared to what you are used to in South Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wyoming.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Dakota and Wyoming
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Mountain Rustic |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to parks | Views, natural surroundings |
- The Ranch architecture that South Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic architecture typical of Wyoming.
- Compared to South Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, Wyoming real estate listings often highlight features like views and natural surroundings.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Wyoming is less walkable than South Dakota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Wyoming is less bike-friendly than South Dakota.
- Wyoming has less of an urban feel than South Dakota.
- Wyoming housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in South Dakota, with a median home price of $340,933 compared to South Dakotaβs $299,062.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wyoming have increased by 40% compared to a 48% increase in South Dakota.
- Rent in Wyoming is 7.67% more affordable than in South Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Dakota and Wyoming
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 80Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 30Β°F / 10Β°F | 32Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30" | 12.5" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 41" | 70" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Dakota to Wyoming. Wyoming gets 1% more sunshine days than South Dakota.
- Wyoming has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in South Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and wildfires in Wyoming.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wyoming is 5 degrees colder than in South Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in South Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wyoming. Wyoming receives 17.5 fewer inches of rain compared to South Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Dakota and Wyoming
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,728 | $70,042 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.1 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.32% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.5% | 4% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Mining, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
Political and Religious Climate in South Dakota vs. Wyoming
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderate local governance in urban areas | Conservative local governance |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Protestant, Catholic |
- South Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Wyoming, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Wyoming's religious environment can be described as Protestant and Catholic
- South Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from South Dakota to Wyoming
Comparison | South Dakota | Wyoming |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | University of Wyoming Wyoming Technical Institute Laramie County Community College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Rosa Parks Elementary (Sioux Falls) | Poison Spider School (Casper) Woodland Park Elementary (Sheridan) Alta Vista Elementary (Cheyenne) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls) | Cody Middle School (Cody) McCormick Junior High (Cheyenne) Sage Valley Junior High (Gillette) |
Top 3 High Schools | Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | Laramie High School (Laramie) Sheridan High School (Sheridan) Central High School (Cheyenne) |
Top 3 private high schools | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) | Jackson Hole Community School (Jackson) St. Stephens Indian School (St. Stephens) Wyoming Catholic College (Lander) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Dakota Christian School (Corsica) | Jackson Hole Classical Academy (Jackson) Trinity Teen Solutions (Powell) Cheyenne Classical Academy (Cheyenne) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brandon Valley School District | Laramie County School District #1 Sheridan County School District #2 Albany County School District #1 |
How Much Do South Dakota to Wyoming Movers Cost?
Moving 497 miles from South Dakota to Wyoming will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Teton Movers LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,484 | 300 ft3 | $4.95 |
1 Bedroom | $2,204 | 450 ft3 | $4.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,636 | 750 ft3 | $4.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,277 | 1100 ft3 | $4.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,596 | 1600 ft3 | $4.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,455 | 1800 ft3 | $4.70 |
Top South Dakota to Wyoming Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Dakota to Wyoming movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Teton Movers LLC
Best moving company overall for South Dakota to Wyoming