($1,000+) Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD ranges from $1,270 to $10,066, with an average cost of $3,550. Moves can be as low as $1,000 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,635 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving options from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,270 - $10,066 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,550, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,635 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,635-mile route from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,270 - $5,034, container $1,490 - $2,724, rental truck $1,020 - $1,903, freight trailer $1,342 - $2,355.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,071 - $6,961, container $1,796 - $3,734, rental truck $1,020 - $2,198, freight trailer $1,481 - $3,078.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,366 - $10,066, container $2,625 - $4,899, rental truck $1,311 - $2,823, freight trailer $2,040 - $4,121.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
For the 1,635-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, full-service movers cost between $1,270 and $10,066. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $401 - $2,672 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Los Angeles generally start around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,270 - $5,034
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,071 - $6,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,366 - $10,066
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Sioux Falls, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $668 - $6,680 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $267 - $1,603/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $401 - $3,206 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,336 - $4,008 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,340 - $13,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,001 - $1,901 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,336 - $3,340 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Rigo's Moving Company Inc | $1,069 - $4,676 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $401 - $2,004 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: 5 Star Moving | $868 - $2,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $401 - $20,040+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $401 - $4,676+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls?
Movers licensed to operate in South Dakota are typically members of the South Dakota Trucking Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Los Angeles, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, cost between $1,490 and $4,899. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Los Angeles typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,490 - $2,724
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,796 - $3,734
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,625 - $4,899
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Los Angeles, CA and Sioux Falls, SD. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $935 in Los Angeles, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $100 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $200 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to South Dakota move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,490. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,796 - $3,734.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Sioux Falls?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Los Angeles to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Los Angeles:
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Move Central Moving & Storage (3.9/5), 14 years in business
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Plan on $1,020 - $2,823 for a rental moving truck on the 1,635-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $695 - $794
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,020 - $1,903
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,020 - $2,198
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,311 - $2,823
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,020 - $2,823 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls. Fuel ($695 - $794), lodging at around $200/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $935.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $695 - $794 for the 1,635-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $80 and $434, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $200 per night for hotel stops on the 1,635-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $401 - $601.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,481 and $3,078.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,342 - $2,355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,481 - $3,078
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,040 - $4,121
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $100 and $200.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Los Angeles, California, for roughly five hours typically average $935.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Los Angeles to Sioux Falls. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sioux Falls, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $1,100/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $272,355 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $74,714/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 3.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 38/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 57.17/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to South Dakota, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 1,126 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,635-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Los Angeles, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,270 for a studio to $10,066 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,635-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,490 - $4,899. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,020 - $2,823, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,071 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sanford Health and Avera Health.
FAQs: Moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Sioux Falls, SD?
Costs on this route range from around $1,000 to $10,066, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,270 and $10,066, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Los Angeles?
Local movers based in Los Angeles typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Sioux Falls run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in South Dakota?
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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Sioux Falls?
For families, McKennan Park, Downtown Sioux Falls, and West Sioux Falls are worth a look in Sioux Falls. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Sioux Falls, East Sioux Falls, and McKennan Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.