($1,262) Cost of Moving From California to South Dakota

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to South Dakota ranges from $1,045 to $7,288 and takes four–15 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.

Professional
$1,262 – $3,249
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$1,027 – $1,743
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$904 – $1,698
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$1,006 – $1,839
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from South Dakota to California guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best California to South Dakota full-service movers

Moving from California to South Dakota? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your South Dakota relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best California to South Dakota moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in South Dakota.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best California to South Dakota moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to South Dakota, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best California to South Dakota labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to South Dakota:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to SD movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

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 $1,262 - $5,046 $1,027 - $2,607 $1,006 - $1,836
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,973 - $7,288 $1,831 - $3,809 $1,045 - $2,344
4+ bedrooms $5,824 - $9,862 $2,549 - $5,259 $1,317 - $2,755

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,657 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.

Cost to hire movers from California to South Dakotatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to South Dakota will cost between $1,262 and $5,046. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to SD will range from $2,973 to $7,288, and a large move from California to South Dakota will cost from $5,824 to $9,862.

Cost of moving containers from California to South Dakotatoggle

Moving containers from California to South Dakota will cost you $1,027 to $2,607 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,831 to $3,809. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,549 to $5,259. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to South Dakotatoggle

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 $1,006 to $1,836. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,045 to $2,344, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to South Dakota costs from $1,317 to $2,755.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

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.

What to know before moving from CA to SD

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.
  • South Dakota has no income tax.

How life is different in South Dakota vs. 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 23 inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In South Dakota, it snows about 39 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
  • South Dakota has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 21.14 vs. 28.43.

Comparing the pros of California vs. South Dakota

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in South Dakota compared to California.

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

Everything can’t be 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

Other things to consider for your California to South Dakota movetoggle

  • 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 Dakotatoggle

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?toggle

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from California to South Dakota?toggle

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.

What are the benefits of moving from California to South Dakota?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

You should make approximately $29,269 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in South Dakota. The cost of living in South Dakota is approximately $885 per month for an individual and $2,271 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 Sioux Falls and Rapid City will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources