Moving to South Dakota: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to South Dakota, you’re not alone. The Mount Rushmore State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Sioux Falls and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about South Dakota, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to South Dakota to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in South Dakota
Like any big move, relocating to South Dakota comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Mount Rushmore State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in SD
- ✓Outstanding tax benefits
- ✓Robust job market
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Beautiful rural landscapes
- ✓Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities
Cons of living in SD
- ✖Extreme weather
- ✖Small-town mindset
- ✖Sparsely populated
- ✖Strange and offensive laws
- ✖Unpredictable weather
Things to do in South Dakota
Whether you’re moving to South Dakota work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, South Dakota has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in South Dakota
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Mitchell Corn Palace
- Black Hills National Forest
- Badlands National Park
- Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
- Wind Cave National Park
- National Music Museum
- Sioux Falls Park
- Spearfish Canyon
Museums in South Dakota
- Adams House
- The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
- Adams Museum
- Story of the Bison
- South Dakota Air and Space Museum
- The Museum @ Black Hills Institute
- Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
- Days of ’76 Museum
- Delta-09 Missile Silo
- Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries
Parks in South Dakota
- Falls Park
- Canyon Lake Park
- Founders Park
- Memorial Park
- Upper Chautauqua Park
- Wylie Park
- Petrified Wood Park
- J.H. Keith Park and Whitney Preserve at Cascade Springs
- Terrace Park
- Veterans’ Memorial Park
Fun facts about South Dakota
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about South Dakota, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- It is estimated that a total of 450,000 tons of rock was removed in order to create the enormous carved heads. More than 2 million people visit Mount Rushmore every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations of the U.S.
- The mountain was named for the New York lawyer Charles E. Rushmore. The lawyer traveled to the Black Hills in 1884 to inspect mining claims in the region.
- The original design for Mount Rushmore National Memorial included the four presidents from head to waist. However, after the death of the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and due to World War II, the nation had to limit the funding for the project.
- South Dakota has one of the world’s largest, most complete fossil of T. rex discovered. It is named Sue, after the fossil hunter, Sue Hendrickson, who found it in 1990.
- More than 175 different butterfly species live in South Dakota.
- South Dakota is home to the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribes, which together make up the Sioux Nation.
- City of presidents – on the streets of Rapid City you can find a bronze statue of each U.S. president. The project started in 2000 and is privately funded. The life-sized bronze president statues were built to honor the legacy of the American presidency.
- South Dakota leads the nation in production of bison and pheasants. Agriculture is its top industry, generating one-third of its overall economic activity.
South Dakota population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to South Dakota, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Mount Rushmore State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in South Dakota, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Population | 919,318 |
| Female | 49.2% |
| Male | 50.8% |
| College graduation rate | 30.0% |
| Political leaning | Republican 63-37 |
| Crime index | 21.14 |
South Dakota weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether South Dakota is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if South Dakota aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 85ºF |
| Winter low | 7ºF |
| Annual rain | 23″ |
| Annual snow | 39″ |
Income and cost of living in South Dakota
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in South Dakota.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in South Dakota and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Finance and insurance ($8.1 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($5.4 billion)
- Manufacturing ($5.1 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($4.8 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($3.7 billion, #40)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($3.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($3.5 billion)
- Professional and business services ($3.1 billion)
- Construction ($2 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($2 billion)
| Metric | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $878 |
| Average home cost | $306,944 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,457 |
| Cost of living index* | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 0.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in South Dakota
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what South Dakota has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in South Dakota:
- University of South Dakota
- South Dakota State University
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- Dakota State University
- Augustana University
- Northern State University
- Black Hills State University
- National American University
- University of Sioux Falls
- Dakota Wesleyan University
- Mount Marty University
- Presentation College
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to South Dakota
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Mount Rushmore State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to SD
- Arkansas to SD
- Arizona to SD
- California to SD
- Colorado to SD
- Connecticut to SD
- Delaware to SD
- Florida to SD
- Georgia to SD
- Iowa to SD
- Idaho to SD
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- Indiana to SD
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- Kentucky to SD
- Louisiana to SD
- Massachusetts to SD
- Maryland to SD
- Maine to SD
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- Mississippi to SD
- Montana to SD
- North Carolina to SD
- North Dakota to SD
- Nebraska to SD
- New Hampshire to SD
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- Nevada to SD
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- Oregon to SD
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- South Carolina to SD
- Tennessee to SD
- Texas to SD
- Utah to SD
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- Vermont to SD
- Washington to SD
- Wisconsin to SD
- West Virginia to SD
- Wyoming to SD
Cost of moving to South Dakota
Before you take the leap to South Dakota, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to South Dakota
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to South Dakota.
South Dakota car insurance requirements
South Dakota drivers license requirements
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