Movers

Tennessee to South Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 1,145 mile interstate move from Tennessee to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Memphis Barbecue vs Chislic), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs ranch, split-level), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis Barbecue and Nashville Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
  • South Dakota housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in South Dakota is 29.19% more affordable than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to South Dakota movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Tennessee vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BarbecueChislic
Most popular meat dishNashville Hot ChickenPheasant
Most popular street food itemBarbecue NachosIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitWild Rice Dish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk Nashville
  • Central BBQ
  • Loveless Cafe
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
  • Minervas
  • Crow Peak Brewing
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 Tennessee to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Memphis Barbecue of Tennessee for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Nashville Hot Chicken and sumptuous Barbecue Nachos, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Dish of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like Husk Nashville, Central BBQ, and Loveless Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Avenue Diner, Minervas, and Crow Peak Brewing.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and South Dakota

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchRanch, Split-level
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 yards, proximity to music and cultural venuesQuiet neighborhoods, nature access
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of South Dakota.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to music and cultural venues, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and access to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Dakota is less walkable than Tennessee.
  • South Dakota is similarly bike-friendly to Tennessee.
  • South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • South Dakota housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in South Dakota is 29.19% more affordable than in Tennessee.

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

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsTornadoes, blizzards
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/69Β°F85/60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/30Β°F29/10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"20-30"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"30-40"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 3% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • South Dakota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in South Dakota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Dakota is 4 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and South Dakota

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$65,254$69,728
Cost of Living Index88.994.1
State Income Tax0%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.64%1.32%
Avg. Sales Tax9.55%4.5%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, RetailAgriculture, Finance, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
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Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. South Dakota

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
Political Make-upPrimarily RepublicanPrimarily Republican
Local PoliticsMix of urban Democratic centers <br/> and rural Republican areasSignificant Republican lean, <br/> with few Democratic strongholds
ReligionLargely Christian, Southern Baptist influencePrimarily Christian, notable Lutheran presence
  • Tennessee tends to lean primarily Republican in its political climate
  • South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
  • South Dakota's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a notable Lutheran presence
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a Southern Baptist influence

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to South Dakota

ComparisonTennesseeSouth Dakota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Belmont University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Augustana University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLinden Elementary School - Oak Ridge
Percy Priest Elementary - Nashville
Walton Ferry Elementary - Hendersonville
Challenge Center - Sioux Falls
Discovery Elementary - Sioux Falls
Harvey Dunn Elementary - Sioux Falls
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle School - Brentwood
Martin Luther King Jr. School - Nashville
West End Middle School - Nashville
George S. Mickelson Middle School - Brookings
Patrick Henry Middle School - Sioux Falls
Edison Middle School - Sioux Falls
Top 3 High SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic Magnet - Nashville
Central Magnet School - Murfreesboro
Ravenwood High School - Brentwood
Lincoln High School - Sioux Falls
Roosevelt High School - Sioux Falls
Washington High School - Sioux Falls
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School - Chattanooga
Montgomery Bell Academy - Nashville
Harpeth Hall School - Nashville
O'Gorman High School - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls
Great Plains Lutheran High School - Watertown
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWebb School - Bell Buckle
Franklin Road Academy - Nashville
University School of Nashville - Nashville
Sioux Falls Christian Schools - Sioux Falls
Roncalli High School - Aberdeen
Dakota Christian School - Corsica
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge City Schools
Sioux Falls School District
Brookings School District
Harrisburg School District

How Much Do Tennessee to South Dakota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,145 miles from Tennessee to South Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,852300 ft3$6.17
1 Bedroom$2,755450 ft3$6.12
2 Bedrooms$4,554750 ft3$6.07
3 Bedrooms$6,6241100 ft3$6.02
4 Bedrooms$9,5551600 ft3$5.97
5+ Bedrooms$10,6601800 ft3$5.92

Top Tennessee to South Dakota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to South Dakota

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Rice's Professional Moving Service featured image

Rice's Professional Moving Service

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details

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