($1,651) Cost of Moving From South Dakota to Virginia

Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Dakota to Virginia ranges from $1,113 to $8,990 and takes four–15 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans

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

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best South Dakota to Virginia full-service movers

Moving from South Dakota to Virginia? 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 South Dakota for your Virginia relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

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

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best South Dakota to Virginia moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from South Dakota to Virginia, 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
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best South Dakota to Virginia 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 South Dakota to Virginia:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

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

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 9 South Dakota 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 South Dakota to Virginia?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,651 - $6,368 $1,121 - $2,758 $1,049 - $2,076
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,867 - $8,990 $2,082 - $4,277 $1,113 - $2,568
4+ bedrooms $7,069 - $12,795 $2,725 - $5,890 $1,504 - $3,048

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,587 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 South Dakota to Virginiatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Dakota to Virginia will cost between $1,651 and $6,368. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SD to VA will range from $3,867 to $8,990, and a large move from South Dakota to Virginia will cost from $7,069 to $12,795.

Cost of moving containers from South Dakota to Virginiatoggle

Moving containers from South Dakota to Virginia will cost you $1,121 to $2,758 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,082 to $4,277. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,725 to $5,890. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from South Dakota to Virginiatoggle

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 $1,049 to $2,076. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,113 to $2,568, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Dakota to Virginia costs from $1,504 to $3,048.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from SD to VA

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

What to know before moving from SD to VA

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

Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Virginia

South Dakota Virginia
Average rent cost $878 $1,440
Average home cost $306,944 $392,682
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $87,249
Cost of Living Index 100 0
Unemployment rate 1.9% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 6.4% 5.73%
State Income Tax 0.0% 5.75%
  • Rent is about 64% more expensive in Virginia than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 28% higher in Virginia than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 26% higher in Virginia than in South Dakota.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Virginia than in South Dakota.
  • Virginia has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 53%.
  • Sales taxes are 10% lower in Virginia than in South Dakota.
  • Income taxes are 6% higher in Virginia than in South Dakota.

How life is different in Virginia vs. South Dakota

Virginia South Dakota
Population 8,715,698 919,318
Political leaning Democratic 52-48 Republican 63-37
Summer high 87ºF 85ºF
Winter low 25ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 44" 23"
Annual snow 14" 39"
Crime index 19.3 21.14
  • The population of Virginia is approximately 848% greater than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Virginia, it snows about 14 inches annually versus 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Virginia has a lower crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 19.3 vs. 21.14.

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Virginia

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Virginia compared to South Dakota.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Virginia
Outstanding tax benefits Strong economy
Robust job market Beautiful scenery
Low cost of living Abundance of outdoor activities
Beautiful rural landscapes Enjoyable four season weather
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Strong military presence

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Virginia

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 South Dakota for Virginia.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Virginia
Extreme weather High cost of living
Small-town mindset Unpredictable weather
Sparsely populated Bad traffic congestion
Strange and offensive laws Lack of public transportation
Unpredictable weather Air noise pollution

Other things to consider for your South Dakota to Virginia movetoggle

  • Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
  • 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 addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Virginia 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Virginiatoggle

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

  • Virginia Beach
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Busch Gardens
  • The Natural Bridge
  • Manassas National Battlefield Park
  • Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
  • George Washington's Mount Vernon
  • Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
  • Richmond Canal Walk
  • Luray Caverns
  • Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
  • Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
  • Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
  • Historic Jamestowne
  • Maymont Park
  • Nauticus
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Military Aviation Museum
  • Virginia State Capitol

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Virginia?toggle

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 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 South Dakota to Virginia?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 South Dakota to Virginia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as strong economy and beautiful scenery.

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Virginia?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in South Dakota than in Virginia. Housing is much more affordable in South Dakota, with average rent about 39% less and home prices 22% lower than in Virginia. South Dakota has no income tax.

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

You should make approximately $72,647 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Virginia. The cost of living in Virginia is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $4,783 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Virginia you live For example, larger cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources