($1,443) Moving From South Dakota to Alabama

Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Dakota to Alabama ranges from $831 to $7,432 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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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service South Dakota 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 South Dakota to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best South Dakota to Alabama movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from South Dakota to Alabama 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 South Dakota to Alabama:

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
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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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
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(866) 835-2392
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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) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local South Dakota movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Brouwer Relocation Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
4800 N. Velocity Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104
(888) 211-2452
Thomas & Sons Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.48 overall rating
3333 Sturgis Rd, Rapid City, SD, 57702
(605) 787-3871

Visit our Best Movers in South Dakota page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from South Dakota to Alabama?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from South Dakota to Alabama for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,443 - $5,881 $967 - $2,190 $817 - $1,454
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,401 - $7,432 $1,664 - $3,420 $831 - $1,747
4+ bedrooms $5,587 - $10,304 $2,347 - $4,543 $1,078 - $2,131

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,319 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 SD to AL

There are many factors that influence South Dakota moving costs. The cost to move from South Dakota to Alabama 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota to Alabama?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Dakota to Alabama will cost between $1,443 and $5,881. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SD to AL will range from $3,401 to $7,432, and a large move from South Dakota to Alabama will cost from $5,587 to $10,304.

How much are moving containers like PODS from South Dakota to Alabama?

Moving containers from South Dakota to Alabama will cost you $967 to $2,190 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,664 to $3,420. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,347 to $4,543. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Dakota.

How much is a moving truck from South Dakota to Alabama?

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 $817 to $1,454. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $831 to $1,747, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Dakota to Alabama costs from $1,078 to $2,131.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from South Dakota to Alabama a good idea?

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

Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Alabama

South Dakota Alabama
Average rent cost $878 $925
Average home cost $306,944 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 100 88
Unemployment rate 1.9% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.4% 9.22%
State Income Tax 0.0% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 5% more expensive in Alabama than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 26% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 14% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
  • Cost of living is 12% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
  • Alabama has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 53%.
  • Sales taxes are 44% higher in Alabama than in South Dakota.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Alabama than in South Dakota.

How does life in Alabama differ from South Dakota?

Alabama South Dakota
Population 5,108,468 919,318
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Republican 63-37
Summer high 91ºF 85ºF
Winter low 33ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 56" 23"
Annual snow 1" 39"
Crime index 21.48 21.14
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 456% greater than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about fifty-six inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus twenty-three inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Alabama, it snows about one inches annually versus thirty-nine inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 21.48 vs 21.14.

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Alabama

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in South Dakota versus Alabama side by side.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Alabama
Outstanding tax benefits Low cost of living
Robust job market Tasty southern comfort food
Low cost of living Bountiful recreational opportunities
Beautiful rural landscapes Top-notch college football
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Alabama

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving South Dakota for Alabama.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Alabama
Extreme weather Poor quality of life
Small-town mindset Severe weather
Sparsely populated Restrictive alcohol laws
Strange and offensive laws Poor healthcare
Unpredictable weather Cockroaches

What to know before your move to Alabama

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
  • 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: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Alabama 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 Alabama. 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. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Alabama

While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • US Space & Rocket Center
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
  • Point Mallard Park
  • Cheaha State Park
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Gulf Shores
  • McWane Science Center
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Alabama?

The cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Alabama 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 South Dakota to Alabama?

The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Alabama?

It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in South Dakota. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 5% less and home prices 25.9% lower than in South Dakota. South Dakota has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Alabama?

You should make approximately $50,181 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $1,527 per month for an individual and $3,759 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Alabama you live For example, larger cities like Huntsville and Birmingham will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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