Tennessee to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

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
Comparison | Tennessee | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis Barbecue | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Nashville Hot Chicken | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Barbecue Nachos | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Wild Rice Dish |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 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
Comparison | Tennessee | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Ranch, Split-level |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to music and cultural venues | Quiet 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 Tennesseeβs $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
Comparison | Tennessee | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
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, floods | Tornadoes, blizzards |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/69Β°F | 85/60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30Β°F | 29/10Β°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
Comparison | Tennessee | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64% | 1.32% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 4.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Agriculture, Finance, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- {income_comparison}
- {coli_comparison}
- {income_tax_message}
- The affluence in {to_city} is {to_affluence} compared to {from_affluence} in {from_city}
- The poverty level is {to_poverty} in {to_city} compared to {from_poverty} in {from_city}
- In terms of homelessness, it is {from_homelessness} in {from_city} and {to_homelessness} in {to_city}
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Tennessee | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Republican | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of urban Democratic centers <br/> and rural Republican areas | Significant Republican lean, <br/> with few Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Largely Christian, Southern Baptist influence | Primarily 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
Comparison | Tennessee | South 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 Schools | Linden 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 Schools | Brentwood 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 Schools | Hume-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 schools | Baylor 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 schools | Webb 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 Districts | Williamson 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,852 | 300 ft3 | $6.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,755 | 450 ft3 | $6.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,554 | 750 ft3 | $6.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,624 | 1100 ft3 | $6.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,555 | 1600 ft3 | $5.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,660 | 1800 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.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to South Dakota