($1,196) Moving From California to South Dakota
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to South Dakota ranges from $1,105 to $6,706 and takes four-fifteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to South Dakota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from South Dakota to California guide.
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The best California to South Dakota movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to South Dakota is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to South Dakota:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to South Dakota?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to South Dakota for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,196 - $4,976 | $1,054 - $2,673 | $963 - $1,774 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,056 - $6,706 | $1,862 - $3,833 | $1,105 - $2,177 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,466 - $9,433 | $2,464 - $4,984 | $1,392 - $2,799 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,655 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to SD
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to South Dakota will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to South Dakota?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to South Dakota will cost between $1,196 and $4,976. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to SD will range from $3,056 to $6,706, and a large move from California to South Dakota will cost from $5,466 to $9,433.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to South Dakota?
Moving containers from California to South Dakota will cost you $1,054 to $2,673 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,862 to $3,833. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,464 to $4,984. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to South Dakota?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$963 to $1,774.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,105 to $2,177,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to South Dakota costs from
$1,392 to $2,799.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to South Dakota a good idea?
If you’re moving to South Dakota from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. South Dakota
| California | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $878 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $306,944 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $69,457 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 1.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.4% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 53% less expensive in South Dakota than in California.
- Home prices are about 60% lower in South Dakota than in California.
- The average income is about 24% lower in South Dakota than in California.
- Cost of living is 25% lower in South Dakota than in California.
- South Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 65%.
- Sales taxes are 26% lower in South Dakota than in California.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in South Dakota than in California.
How does life in South Dakota differ from California?
| South Dakota | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 919,318 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 63-37 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 85ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 7ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 23" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 39" | 7" |
| Crime index | 21.14 | 28.43 |
- The population of South Dakota is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, South Dakota voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in South Dakota is 85ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, South Dakota reaches the temperature of 7ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about twenty-three inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In South Dakota, it snows about thirty-nine inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- South Dakota has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 21.14.
Comparing the pros of California vs. South Dakota
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus South Dakota side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Outstanding tax benefits |
| Pleasant weather | Robust job market |
| Abundant recreational options | Low cost of living |
| High quality of life | Beautiful rural landscapes |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. South Dakota
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for South Dakota.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in South Dakota |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Extreme weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Small-town mindset |
| Natural disasters | Sparsely populated |
| Terrible traffic | Strange and offensive laws |
| Strange laws | Unpredictable weather |
What to know before your move to 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.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a South Dakota moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: South Dakota does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to South Dakota. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in South Dakota
While you’re in South Dakota, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 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
- Deadwood
- South Dakota Air and Space Museum
- Sylvan Lake
- Jewel Cave National Monument
- Good Earth State Park
- Ingalls Homestead
- Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
- Children’s Museum of South Dakota
- Old Courthouse Museum
- Bear Butte State Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to South Dakota?
The cheapest way to move from California to South Dakota is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to South Dakota?
The main reasons people are moving from California to South Dakota are the amazing upsides of living in South Dakota such as outstanding tax benefits and robust job market.
Is it cheaper to live in California or South Dakota?
It is generally cheaper to live in South Dakota than in California. Housing is much more affordable in South Dakota, with average rent about 53% less and home prices 60.2% lower than in California. South Dakota has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in South Dakota?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in South Dakota you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Box Elder will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
