($1,230) Moving From Tennessee to South Dakota

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Tennessee to South Dakota ranges from $762 to $6,308 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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  • Family-owned

Hiring a full-service Tennessee 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 Tennessee to South Dakota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best Tennessee to South Dakota movers

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

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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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • 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 Tennessee movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gouffon Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
1520 Amherst Road, Knoxville, TN, 37909
(865) 584-8545
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
101 Cummings Ct, Antioch, TN, 37013
(336) 810-1801

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

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,230 - $4,868 $889 - $2,106 $728 - $1,428
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,696 - $6,308 $1,560 - $3,187 $762 - $1,765
4+ bedrooms $4,755 - $8,699 $2,067 - $4,169 $1,048 - $2,108

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,147 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 TN to SD

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Tennessee to South Dakota will cost between $1,230 and $4,868. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from TN to SD will range from $2,696 to $6,308, and a large move from Tennessee to South Dakota will cost from $4,755 to $8,699.

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

Moving containers from Tennessee to South Dakota will cost you $889 to $2,106 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,560 to $3,187. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,067 to $4,169. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Tennessee.

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

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 $728 to $1,428. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $762 to $1,765, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Tennessee to South Dakota costs from $1,048 to $2,108.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Tennessee to South Dakota a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Tennessee vs. South Dakota

Tennessee South Dakota
Average rent cost $897 $761
Average home cost $309,913 $291,081
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $69,457
Cost of Living Index 0 100
Unemployment rate 3.5% 2.0%
Average Sales Tax 9.55% 6.4%
State Income Tax 0.0% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 15% less expensive in South Dakota than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 6% lower in South Dakota than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 8% higher in South Dakota than in Tennessee.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in South Dakota than in Tennessee.
  • South Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 43%.
  • Sales taxes are 33% lower in South Dakota than in Tennessee.
  • Income taxes are the same in South Dakota and Tennessee.

How does life in South Dakota differ from Tennessee?

South Dakota Tennessee
Population 895,376 7,051,339
Political leaning Republican 66-34 Republican 61-37
Summer high 85ºF 88ºF
Winter low 7ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 23" 53"
Annual snow 39" 5"
Crime index 24.75 29.59
  • The population of South Dakota is approximately 87% lower than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, South Dakota voted Republican and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Dakota is 85ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Dakota reaches the temperature of 7ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about twenty-three inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota versus fifty-three inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In South Dakota, it snows about thirty-nine inches annually versus five inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • South Dakota has a lower crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 29.59 vs 24.75.

Comparing the pros of Tennessee vs. South Dakota

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

Pros of living in Tennessee Pros of living in South Dakota
Abundant recreational opportunities Outstanding tax benefits
No income taxes Robust job market
Legendary music scene Low cost of living
Natural beauty and parks galore Beautiful rural landscapes
Delicious southern comfort food Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee vs. South Dakota

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

Cons of living in Tennessee Cons of living in South Dakota
Tendency for severe weather Extreme weather
Oppressive summer heat and humidity Small-town mindset
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants Sparsely populated
Traffic congestion Strange and offensive laws
High urban crime rates Unpredictable weather

What to know before your move to South Dakota

  • Weather: In South Dakota, drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage with at least the following minimum limits: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in South Dakota, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a South Dakota moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: South Dakota 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 South Dakota. 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 South Dakota, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, offering coverage at 60 cents per pound. To enhance protection, discuss Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, consider exploring third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your moving insurance in South Dakota.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in South Dakota

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

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Mitchell Corn Palace
  • Black Hills National Forest
  • Badlands National Park
  • Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
  • Wind Cave National Park
  • National Music Museum
  • Sioux Falls Park
  • Spearfish Canyon
  • Deadwood
  • South Dakota Air and Space Museum
  • Sylvan Lake
  • Jewel Cave National Monument
  • Good Earth State Park
  • Ingalls Homestead
  • Lewis & Clark Recreation Area
  • Children’s Museum of South Dakota
  • Old Courthouse Museum
  • Bear Butte State Park

FAQs

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

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

The main reasons people are moving from Tennessee to South Dakota are the amazing upsides of living in South Dakota such as outstanding tax benefits and robust job market.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or South Dakota?

It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in South Dakota. Housing is more affordable in South Dakota, with average rent about 15% less and home prices 6.1% lower than in Tennessee.

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

You should make approximately $27,226 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $801 per month for an individual and $1,688 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in South Dakota you live For example, larger cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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