($1,461) Moving From South Dakota to Montana
Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Dakota to Montana ranges from $530 to $6,454 and takes one-six 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 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 Montana separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Montana to South Dakota guide.
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The best South Dakota to Montana movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from South Dakota to Montana 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 Montana:
- 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 South Dakota movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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4800 N. Velocity Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104 (888) 211-2452 |
| Thomas & Sons Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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3333 Sturgis Rd, Rapid City, SD, 57702 (605) 787-3871 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
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222 N Marion Rd Suite B, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107 (605) 550-4799 |
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 Montana?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from South Dakota to Montana for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,461 - $4,200 | $740 - $1,753 | $522 - $938 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,695 - $6,454 | $1,293 - $2,524 | $530 - $1,170 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,781 - $9,721 | $1,836 - $3,508 | $682 - $1,293 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 662 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 MT
There are many factors that influence South Dakota moving costs. The cost to move from South Dakota to Montana 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 Montana?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Dakota to Montana will cost between $1,461 and $4,200. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SD to MT will range from $2,695 to $6,454, and a large move from South Dakota to Montana will cost from $4,781 to $9,721.
How much are moving containers like PODS from South Dakota to Montana?
Moving containers from South Dakota to Montana will cost you $740 to $1,753 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,293 to $2,524. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,836 to $3,508. 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 Montana?
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
$522 to $938.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$530 to $1,170,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Dakota to Montana costs from
$682 to $1,293.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from South Dakota to Montana a good idea?
If you’re moving to Montana from South Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Montana
| South Dakota | Montana | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $761 | $836 |
| Average home cost | $291,081 | $446,483 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,457 | $66,341 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% | 2.8% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.4% | 0.0% |
| State Income Tax | 0.0% | 6.75% |
- Rent is about 10% more expensive in Montana than in South Dakota.
- Home prices are about 53% higher in Montana than in South Dakota.
- The average income is about 4% lower in Montana than in South Dakota.
- Cost of living is about the same in Montana and South Dakota.
- Montana has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 40%.
- Sales taxes are 100% lower in Montana than in South Dakota.
- Income taxes are 7% higher in Montana than in South Dakota.
How does life in Montana differ from South Dakota?
| Montana | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,122,867 | 895,376 |
| Political leaning | Republican 57-41 | Republican 66-34 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 85ºF |
| Winter low | 12ºF | 7ºF |
| Annual rain | 15" | 23" |
| Annual snow | 49" | 39" |
| Crime index | 26.29 | 24.75 |
- The population of Montana is approximately 25% greater than the population of South Dakota.
- In the last presidential election, Montana voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Montana is 84ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Montana reaches the temperature of 12ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
- You can expect about fifteen inches of annual rainfall in Montana versus twenty-three inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
- In Montana, it snows about forty-nine inches annually versus thirty-nine inches of snow in South Dakota.
- Montana has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 26.29 vs 24.75.
Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Montana
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 Montana side by side.
| Pros of living in South Dakota | Pros of living in Montana |
|---|---|
| Outstanding tax benefits | Unmatched natural beauty |
| Robust job market | Bountiful outdoor opportunities |
| Low cost of living | Ample economic opportunity |
| Beautiful rural landscapes | Delicious unique cuisine |
| Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities | No traffic |
Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Montana
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 Montana.
| Cons of living in South Dakota | Cons of living in Montana |
|---|---|
| Extreme weather | Dangerous wildlife |
| Small-town mindset | Remote lifestyle |
| Sparsely populated | Touristy |
| Strange and offensive laws | Lacking in urban amenities |
| Unpredictable weather | Challenging weather |
What to know before your move to Montana
- Weather: Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
- 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: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Montana moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Montana 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 Montana. 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. Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Montana
While you’re in Montana, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Lewis & Clark Trail
- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
- Museum of the Rockies
- Lake McDonald
- Montana Historical Society Museum
- Montana State Capitol
- The C.M. Russell Museum Complex
- Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
- The World Museum of Mining
- Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- The Moss Mansion
- Big Sky Resort
- ZooMontana
- Conrad Mansion Museum
- Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum
- Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
- Ringing Rocks
- American Computer & Robotics Museum
- Whitefish Mountain Resort
- Big Hole National Battlefield
- Western Heritage Centre
- Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Montana?
The cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Montana 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 Montana?
The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Montana are the amazing upsides of living in Montana such as unmatched natural beauty and bountiful outdoor opportunities.
Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Montana?
It is generally cheaper to live in South Dakota than in Montana. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in South Dakota, with average rent about 9% less and home prices 35% lower than in Montana. South Dakota has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Montana?
You should make approximately $30,978 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $703 per month for an individual and $1,592 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Montana you live For example, larger cities like Belgrade and Billings will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
