($1,325) Cost of Moving From Pennsylvania to South Dakota

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Pennsylvania to South Dakota ranges from $1,007 to $7,053 and takes three–eight 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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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • Certified crews
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  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 1,800 trucks
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from South Dakota to Pennsylvania guide.

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The best Pennsylvania to South Dakota full-service movers

Moving from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for your South Dakota relocation:

Best Overall Value
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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
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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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
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(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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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
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(844) 950-2963

The best Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and drop it off at your new home in South Dakota.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best Pennsylvania to South Dakota moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Pennsylvania 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:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Dakota:

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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
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  • Affordable

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

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 84 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Dakota?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Pennsylvania 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 $1,325 - $5,500 $1,021 - $2,478 $922 - $1,744
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,081 - $7,053 $1,845 - $3,835 $1,007 - $2,053
4+ bedrooms $5,495 - $9,618 $2,452 - $5,354 $1,304 - $2,530

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,344 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 Pennsylvania to South Dakotatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to South Dakota will cost between $1,325 and $5,500. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from PA to SD will range from $3,081 to $7,053, and a large move from Pennsylvania to South Dakota will cost from $5,495 to $9,618.

Cost of moving containers from Pennsylvania to South Dakotatoggle

Moving containers from Pennsylvania to South Dakota will cost you $1,021 to $2,478 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,845 to $3,835. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,452 to $5,354. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Pennsylvania 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 $922 to $1,744. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,007 to $2,053, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Pennsylvania to South Dakota costs from $1,304 to $2,530.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to SD

There are many factors that influence Pennsylvania moving costs. The cost to move from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 PA to SD

If you’re moving to South Dakota from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. South Dakota

Pennsylvania South Dakota
Average rent cost $1,110 $878
Average home cost $268,824 $306,944
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $69,457
Cost of Living Index 99 100
Unemployment rate 3.4% 1.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.34% 6.4%
State Income Tax 3.07% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 21% less expensive in South Dakota than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 14% higher in South Dakota than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 5% lower in South Dakota than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in South Dakota than in Pennsylvania.
  • South Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 44%.
  • Sales taxes are the same in South Dakota and Pennsylvania.
  • South Dakota has no income tax.

How life is different in South Dakota vs. Pennsylvania

South Dakota Pennsylvania
Population 919,318 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 63-37 Republican 51-49
Summer high 85ºF 83ºF
Winter low 7ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 23" 44"
Annual snow 39" 38"
Crime index 21.14 17.62
  • The population of South Dakota is approximately 93% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, South Dakota voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Dakota is 85ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Dakota reaches the temperature of 7ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 23 inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In South Dakota, it snows about 39 inches annually versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • South Dakota has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 21.14 vs. 17.62.

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in South Dakota
Low cost of living Outstanding tax benefits
Abundant fun and recreational activities Robust job market
Beautiful landscapes Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Beautiful rural landscapes
Excellent education options Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for South Dakota.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in South Dakota
Harsh winter weather Extreme weather
Bad driving conditions Small-town mindset
Nuclear power plants Sparsely populated
Unpredictable weather Strange and offensive laws
High taxes on gasoline Unpredictable weather

Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Dakota?toggle

Hiring a full-service Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to South Dakota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania or South Dakota?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Pennsylvania, with average rent about 26% less and home prices 12% lower than in South Dakota. South Dakota has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in South Dakota?toggle

You should make approximately $62,125 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in South Dakota. The cost of living in South Dakota is approximately $934 per month for an individual and $2,320 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.

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