($1,411) Moving From South Dakota to Michigan

Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Dakota to Michigan ranges from $735 to $7,252 and takes two-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
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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 Michigan separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best South Dakota to Michigan movers

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

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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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(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 Michigan?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,411 - $5,351 $858 - $1,971 $667 - $1,204
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,933 - $7,252 $1,539 - $2,886 $735 - $1,460
4+ bedrooms $4,759 - $8,949 $1,956 - $4,068 $887 - $1,741

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,023 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 MI

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Dakota to Michigan will cost between $1,411 and $5,351. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SD to MI will range from $2,933 to $7,252, and a large move from South Dakota to Michigan will cost from $4,759 to $8,949.

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

Moving containers from South Dakota to Michigan will cost you $858 to $1,971 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,539 to $2,886. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,956 to $4,068. 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 Michigan?

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 $667 to $1,204. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $735 to $1,460, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Dakota to Michigan costs from $887 to $1,741.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from South Dakota to Michigan a good idea?

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

Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Michigan

South Dakota Michigan
Average rent cost $878 $1,037
Average home cost $306,944 $245,716
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $68,505
Cost of Living Index 100 92
Unemployment rate 1.9% 4.7%
Average Sales Tax 6.4% 6.0%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.25%
  • Rent is about 18% more expensive in Michigan than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 20% lower in Michigan than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 1% lower in Michigan than in South Dakota.
  • Cost of living is 8% lower in Michigan than in South Dakota.
  • Michigan has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 147%.
  • Sales taxes are 6% lower in Michigan than in South Dakota.
  • Income taxes are 4% higher in Michigan than in South Dakota.

How does life in Michigan differ from South Dakota?

Michigan South Dakota
Population 10,037,261 919,318
Political leaning Republican 49.7-48.3 Republican 63-37
Summer high 81ºF 85ºF
Winter low 14ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 34" 23"
Annual snow 64" 39"
Crime index 19.98 21.14
  • The population of Michigan is approximately 992% greater than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Michigan voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Michigan is 81ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Michigan reaches the temperature of 14ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about thirty-four inches of annual rainfall in Michigan versus twenty-three inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Michigan, it snows about sixty-four inches annually versus thirty-nine inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Michigan has a lower crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 21.14 vs 19.98.

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Michigan

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 Michigan side by side.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Michigan
Outstanding tax benefits Scenic beauty
Robust job market Good higher education
Low cost of living Bountiful recreational opportunities
Beautiful rural landscapes Low cost of living
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Beautiful lakes

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Michigan

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 Michigan.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Michigan
Extreme weather Cold snowy winters
Small-town mindset Spotty economic opportunity
Sparsely populated Poor transportation infrastructure
Strange and offensive laws Expensive education
Unpredictable weather Thick accents

What to know before your move to Michigan

  • Weather: Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
  • 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Michigan 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 Michigan. 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 Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Michigan

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

  • Mackinac Island
  • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
  • Henry Ford Museum
  • Michigan State Capitol
  • University of Michigan
  • Isle Royale National Park
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
  • Colonial Michilimackinac
  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Windmill Island Gardens
  • Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
  • Detroit Zoo
  • Michigan History Center
  • Mackinac Bridge
  • Soo Locks Boat Tour
  • Belle Isle
  • Motown Historical Museum
  • Michigan’s Adventure
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
  • Kitch-iti-Kipi

FAQs

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

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

The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Michigan are the amazing upsides of living in Michigan such as scenic beauty and good higher education.

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Michigan?

It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in South Dakota. Housing is more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 18% less and home prices 19.9% lower than in South Dakota. South Dakota has no income tax.

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

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 Michigan you live For example, larger cities like Adrian and Allendale will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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