($1,475) Movers From Birmingham, AL to Sioux Falls, SD

What to know before moving from Birmingham to Sioux Falls

Moving from Birmingham to Sioux Falls means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Birmingham than in Sioux Falls, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Birmingham compares to Sioux Falls so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Sioux Falls are 12% lower than in Birmingham, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
  Home prices in Sioux Falls are 153.2% higher than in Birmingham.
• Income in Sioux Falls is 48.6% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Sioux Falls include Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Smithfield Foods.
• The cost of living for a single person in Sioux Falls is 34.4% lower than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Sioux Falls is 32.5% lower than in Birmingham.
• The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls is 42.86% lower than in Birmingham.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Sioux Falls, since the city’s sales taxes in Sioux Falls are 35.00% lower than in Birmingham.
• One perk of moving to Sioux Falls is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Birmingham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,968.85 in Sioux Falls to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.

How life is different in Birmingham vs. Sioux Falls

• Sioux Falls and Birmingham have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in South Dakota easier.
• Sioux Falls offers better access to buses and trains than Birmingham, based on public transportation ratings. Sioux Falls has a transit score of 2 out of 10 compared to 0 in Birmingham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Sioux Falls means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Birmingham. Sioux Falls is considered more walkable than Birmingham, with a score of 38 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Birmingham. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Sioux Falls is considered more bike-friendly than Birmingham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Sioux Falls has a bike-friendliness score of 46 out of 100, while Birmingham is rated as 31 out of 100.
• Sioux Falls has a lower crime rate than Birmingham based on scores of 42.83 and Birmingham's 61.64, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Sioux Falls than in Birmingham, based on Sioux Falls’s safety index of 57.17 versus 38.36 for Birmingham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Sioux Falls and Birmingham is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. Sioux Falls move

• Weather: August, June and September are the most pleasant months in Sioux Falls, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Sioux Falls. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Sioux Falls

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Best Little City in America", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Sioux Falls.

Helpful moving resources