Texas to South Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,030 mile interstate move from Texas to South Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs South Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like unbearable summer heat vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Chislic), real estate & housing (ranch vs split foyer), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Tex-Mex Fajitas, but get your taste buds ready for Chislic & Pheasant
- South Dakota housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in South Dakota is 29.68% more affordable than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to South Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Texas to South Dakota movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Top Texas to South Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to South Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to South Dakota

Jonah's Movers

New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
Texas to South Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to South Dakota
- Unbearable summer heat
- High living costs
- Heavy traffic in cities
- Hurricane risks
- Limited outdoor activities
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Affordable housing
- Less crowded roads
- Safer weather conditions
- Beautiful natural scenery
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer restaurant options
- Smaller towns
- Quiet evenings
- Colder winters
- Dynamic job market
- Diverse food scene
- Large urban areas
- Vibrant nightlife
- Warm winters
Pros of moving from Texas to South Dakota
- Say goodbye to unbearable summer heat and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from high living costs and moving to South Dakota with affordable housing
- Swap the heavy traffic in the cities of Texas for less crowded roads in South Dakota
- Get ready for safer weather conditions in South Dakota
Cons of moving from Texas to South Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the dynamic job market in Texas to live with fewer job opportunities in South Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse food scene and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurant options
- Time to bid farewell to large urban areas and get used to smaller towns in South Dakota
- Swap vibrant nightlife for quiet evenings
Texas vs. South Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Chislic |
Most popular meat dish | Tex-Mex Fajitas | Pheasant |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad | Wild Rice Soup |
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 Texas to South Dakota, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Chislic of South Dakota. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Tex-Mex Fajitas and sumptuous Tacos, South Dakota residents know they have tasty Pheasant and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice Soup of South Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Matt's El Rancho, and Biga on the Banks. After the boxes are unpacked in South Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to South Dakota's acclaimed eateries like Alma's, Minervas, and The Capitol Bistro & Store.
When comparing lifestyles, South Dakota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Texas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Dakota, compared to what you are used to in Texas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and South Dakota
Comparison | Texas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Split Foyer |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Big yards, Pools | Views, Garages |
- The Ranch architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Split Foyer architecture typical of South Dakota.
- Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference big yards and pools, South Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like views and garages.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Dakota is more walkable than Texas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Dakota is more bike-friendly than Texas.
- South Dakota has less of an urban feel than Texas.
- South Dakota housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $299,062 compared to Texasβs $304,027.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Dakota have increased 48% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
- Rent in South Dakota is 29.68% more affordable than in Texas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Texas and South Dakota
Comparison | Texas | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 30Β°F / 10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 39 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to South Dakota. South Dakota gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
- South Dakota has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, 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 9 degrees colder than in Texas.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Dakota. South Dakota receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Texas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and South Dakota
Comparison | Texas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $69,728 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 94.1 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.80% | 1.20% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.19% | 6.40% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Technology, Agriculture | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Higher | Lower |
Homelessness | Higher | Lower |
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Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. South Dakota
Comparison | Texas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican, with urban areas trending Democrat | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Large urban-rural political divide | Unified but with local variations in issues |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, diverse religious landscapes in urban areas | Majorly Christian, less religious diversity |
- Texas tends to lean traditionally Republican, with urban areas trending Democrat in its political climate.
- South Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican.
- South Dakota's religious environment can be described as majorly Christian, with less religious diversity.
- Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with diverse religious landscapes in urban areas.
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to South Dakota
Comparison | Texas | South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston | South Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Valley Creek Elementary (McKinney) Carroll Elementary (Southlake) William L. Cabell Elementary (Dallas) | Hawthorne Elementary (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beckendorff Junior High (Katy) Coppell Middle East (Coppell) Fort Settlement Middle (Sugar Land) | George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Yankton Middle School (Yankton) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Westlake High School (Austin) | Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Greenhill School (Addison) | O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Awty International School (Houston) The Village School (Houston) | Sunshine Bible Academy (Miller) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Coppell Independent School District Southlake Carroll Independent School District | Sioux Falls School District Harrisburg School District Brandon Valley School District |
How Much Do Texas to South Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,030 miles from Texas to South Dakota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,786 | 300 ft3 | $5.95 |
1 Bedroom | $2,657 | 450 ft3 | $5.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,391 | 750 ft3 | $5.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,385 | 1100 ft3 | $5.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,208 | 1600 ft3 | $5.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,269 | 1800 ft3 | $5.70 |