How Much Do South Dakota Movers Cost?

Quick answer: The average cost of hiring movers in South Dakota is $182 per hour, with an average total move cost between $696 and $6,041. The exact cost of your move will depend on how many belongings you have and how far you’re relocating.

Of course, it’s crucial to get a personalized moving quote for your South Dakota move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Moving Cost Calculator

To figure out how much your South Dakota move will cost, it’s a good idea to compare multiple quotes. With our cost calculator, you can get pricing information from the best moving companies in SD — including Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, Mayzlin Relocation, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services, and some of the top national moving companies provided below.

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Since 2015, we’ve used our inside knowledge of the moving industry to help more than 400,000 people with their moves.

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Average cost to hire a moving company in South Dakota

The cost to hire a South Dakota moving company depends primarily on the size of your home, how many belongings you have, and the distance of your move. Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional movers in South Dakota.

Cost to move a home in South Dakota

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $696 $255 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $951 $255 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedrooms $1,512 $357 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedrooms $3,441 $500 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedrooms $3,941 $500 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedrooms $6,041 $700 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in South Dakota to move a studio apartment is $696. You'll need two movers for three hours at $255 per hour.
  • One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $951 for local South Dakota movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $255 per hour.
  • Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire South Dakota movers to move a two-bedroom home is $1,512. You'll need three movers for five hours at $357 per hour.
  • Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $3,441 for local South Dakota movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $500 per hour.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in South Dakota will cost $3,941, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $500 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring South Dakota movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $6,041. You'll need five movers for 10 hours at $700 per hour.

Average cost to hire an interstate mover in South Dakota

The cost of an interstate move from South Dakota to another state has even more variables than a local move.

Out-of-state, or Interstate, moves mean longer distances, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices. Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and time of year are additional cost factors that can drive up your overall expenses. Rather than pay an hourly rate (like you would with local movers), an interstate moving company will charge you based on the total weight of your belongings.

Below are some cost examples from popular moving routes.

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of South Dakota

Now that you have an idea of what your move from South Dakota should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance moving movers in South Dakota.

Best interstate moving companies in South Dakota

These are the best interstate moving companies available in South Dakota:

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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • 1,800 trucks
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  • Customized moving plans
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery

Best local moving companies in South Dakota

Staying in South Dakota and moving just a short distance? Check out the best moving companies in South Dakota.

Factors that affect the cost of your South Dakota move

The following common factors will affect the cost of your South Dakota move:

  • The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor means you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure that you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in South Dakota.
  • The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from South Dakota to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
  • The type of move: You have four main options for your South Dakota move:
  • Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
  • Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your South Dakota move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
  • The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of South Dakota between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.

The average cost of living in South Dakota

  • The cost index in South Dakota is 100. This means it's similar to the national average.
  • The average rent in South Dakota for a one-bedroom apartment is $761 which is 42.61% lower than the national average.
  • The average home value in South Dakota is $291,081 which is about 18.24% less expensive than the national average.
  • The average income in South Dakota is $69,457 which is about 6.87% higher than the national average.

Options you have when moving in South Dakota

Hire a professional moving company

Hiring a professional mover in South Dakota is most likely going to be the most expensive option, but you are paying for some extra convenience, like not having to load and drive a truck yourself.

Below is a list of the best moving companies in South Dakota to hire for your move.

Moving truck rental

Rent a moving truck from a company like U-Haul to pack, load, and transport your belongings from one South Dakota location to another or to another state. This is the cheapest option but will require the most amount of work — you’ll need to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place.

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  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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Moving containers or PODS

Rent a moving container if you’re looking for a balance of affordability and convenience. With this moving option, you load the container and the professionals drive it to your new location in South Dakota for you. Moving containers typically cost more than a rental truck but less than hiring a professional mover.

This is also a great option if you need storage with your move. Many container companies like PODS include 30-days of free storage with all moves.

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  • Long distance moves only
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Hire a freight shipper

Use freight shipping if you are moving a large amount of stuff across the country from South Dakota. With a freight shipper, you pack a large 28-foot trailer at your house and they drive it for you. This is a good option for large cross-country moves.

How do I ship a car in South Dakota?

Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move. Here are the top car shippers in SD:

Company Our take Rating Price
Easy Auto Ship
Best for Quick Pickup
starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Sherpa Auto Transport
Best for Accurate Pricing
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Ship A Car Direct
Best Insurance Coverage
starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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Montway Auto Transport
Best Cross-Country Shipper
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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AmeriFreight Car Transport
Best for Discounts
starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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Things to know about your South Dakota move

Although cost is certainly important, there are other factors that you should consider about your move.

  • State Licensing: Although a local license is not required in South Dakota, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
  • Mover's Insurance: In South Dakota, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, offering coverage at 60 cents per pound. To enhance protection, discuss Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, consider exploring third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your moving insurance in South Dakota.
  • Weather: In South Dakota, drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage with at least the following minimum limits: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Tips to save money on your South Dakota move

Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your South Dakota move:

  • Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
  • Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
  • Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
  • Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
  • Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your South Dakota move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.

What is the cheapest way to move in South Dakota?

The cheapest way to move within South Dakota is by using a DIY option. For some people in South Dakota, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.

While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of South Dakota, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can save you money on shorter-distance moves. But for out-of-state relocations, hidden or unexpected expenses like gas, mileage, toll charges, and even food and accommodations on your trip can add up quickly and even push the price of your truck rental above what it would cost to use a full-service mover.

To help you decide, use our moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.

Helpful South Dakota resources

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