$1,305 Movers From California to South Dakota

The cost to move from California to South Dakota averages from $1,070 to $7,439 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

Moving from California to South Dakota resources

Moving 1,642 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best California to South Dakota movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California 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 California to South Dakota.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
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(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

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

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from California 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 $1,305 - $4,818 $1,045 - $2,547 $1,038 - $2,033
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,028 - $7,439 $1,940 - $3,914 $1,070 - $2,258
4+ bedrooms $5,914 - $10,037 $2,646 - $5,190 $1,306 - $2,732
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,642 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to South Dakota will cost between $1,305 to $4,818. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to SD will range from $3,028 to $7,439, and a large move from California to South Dakota will cost from $5,914 to $10,037.

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

Moving containers from California to South Dakota will cost you $1,045 to $2,547 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,940 to $3,914. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,646 to $5,190. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

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

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,038 to $2,033. A larger move will cost $1,070 to $2,258, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to South Dakota costs from $1,306 to $2,732.

Is moving from California to South Dakota a good idea?

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

Cost of Living: California vs South Dakota

California South Dakota
Average rent cost $1,586 $761
Average home cost $746,055 $291,081
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $69,457
Cost of Living Index 100 100
Unemployment rate 4.8% 2.0%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 6.4%
State Income Tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 52% less expensive in South Dakota than in California.
  • Home prices are about 61.0% lower in South Dakota than in California.
  • The average income is about 24.4% lower in South Dakota than in California.
  • Cost of living is about the same in South Dakota and California.
  • South Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 58.3%.
  • Sales taxes are 26.27% lower in South Dakota than in California.
  • Income taxes are 100.00% lower in South Dakota than in California.

How is life different in South Dakota from California?

South Dakota California
Population 895,376 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 66-34 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 85ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 7ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 23" 22"
Annual Snow 39" 7"
Crime Index 24.75 27.88
  • The population of South Dakota is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, South Dakota voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Dakota is 85ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Dakota reaches the temperature of 7ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 23 inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In South Dakota, it snows about 39 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • South Dakota has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 24.75.

Comparing the pros of California 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 California vs South Dakota side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in South Dakota
Ample economic opportunity Outstanding tax benefits
Pleasant weather Robust job market
Abundant recreational options Low cost of living
High quality of life Beautiful rural landscapes
Fresh and healthy foods Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. South Dakota:

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

Cons of living in California Cons of living in South Dakota
High cost of living Extreme weather
Heavy tax burdens Small-town mindset
Natural disasters Sparsely populated
Terrible traffic Strange and offensive laws
Strange laws Unpredictable weather

Considerations for moving 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to South Dakota. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Meathead Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
2905 Unicorn Rd, Bakersfield, CA, 93308
(661) 335-6191
All Star Movers & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA, 94568
(925) 905-9889

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

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 about moving from California to South Dakota

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

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

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

Related articles to your move

Learn more about South Dakota