Things to know before moving from South Dakota to Corpus Christi, TX

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Corpus Christi, TX

South Dakota Corpus Christi
Average rent cost $878 $1,395
Average home value $306,944 $215,604
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $62,600
Unemployment rate 2% 12%
State income tax 0% 0%
  • Rent is about 59% more expensive in Corpus Christi than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 30% lower in Corpus Christi than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 10% lower in Corpus Christi than in South Dakota.
  • Corpus Christi has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 521%.
  • Income taxes are the same in Corpus Christi and South Dakota.

How life is different in Corpus Christi from South Dakota

Corpus Christi South Dakota
Population 317,863 919,318
Political leaning Republican 56-42 Republican 63-37
Summer high 94ºF 85ºF
Winter low 48ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 33" 23"
Annual snow 0" 39"
Crime index 45.97 21.14
  • The population of Corpus Christi is approximately 65% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Corpus Christi voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Corpus Christi is 94ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Corpus Christi reaches the temperature of 48ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 33 inches of annual rainfall in Corpus Christi vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Corpus Christi, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Corpus Christi has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 45.97 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Corpus Christi

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Corpus Christi.

Museums in Corpus Christitoggle

  • USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
  • Selena Museum
  • Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
  • The Art Museum of South Texas
  • Texas Surf Museum
  • The Art Center of Corpus Christi
  • Asian Cultures Museum & Educational Center

Parks in Corpus Christitoggle

  • Texas State Aquarium
  • Padre Island National Seashore
  • Malaquite Beach
  • Whitecap Beach
  • South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
  • North Padre Island
  • Texas Sealife Center
  • North Beach
  • Cole Park
  • Padre Balli Park

Sports Teams in Corpus Christitoggle

  • Corpus Christi Hooks
  • Corpus Christi IceRays
  • Corpus Christi Crabs
  • Corpus Christi FC

Universities in Corpus Christitoggle

  • Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Del Mar College
  • Saint Leo University-Corpus Christi
  • Southern Careers Institute
  • South Texas Vo-Tech
  • Career Centers of Texas-Corpus Christi
  • Vogue Cosmetology School

Other considerations when moving to Corpus Christi, TX

  • Weather: As a part of the gulf region of Texas, Corpus Christi is susceptible to hurricanes with the highest probability in September. Tropical storms in this time of year may affect your move.
  • 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-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Texas 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Texas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of South Dakota vs. Corpus Christi, TX

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Corpus Christi, TX:

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

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Corpus Christi, TX
Outstanding tax benefits Low cost of living
Robust job market Pleasant winter months
Low cost of living Abundant water activities
Beautiful rural landscapes Delicious seafood
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Diversity

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Corpus Christi, TX:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving South Dakota for Corpus Christi.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Corpus Christi, TX
Extreme weather Temperamental weather
Small-town mindset High crime rate
Sparsely populated Job shortages
Strange and offensive laws Heat and humidity
Unpredictable weather Terrible drivers

FAQ

How long does a move from South Dakota to Corpus Christi take?

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to Corpus Christi, TX, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in South Dakota, the longer the drive time to Corpus Christi will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Corpus Christi from South Dakota can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from South Dakota to Corpus Christi?

Because of the 1286-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Corpus Christi as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Corpus Christi, TX?

With the summer highs of 94ºF and the winter lows of 48ºF, most people move to Corpus Christi from South Dakota during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Corpus Christi during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources