($1,492) Movers From Oakland, CA to Sioux Falls, SD

What to know before moving from Oakland to Sioux Falls

Moving from Oakland 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 Oakland than in Sioux Falls, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in Sioux Falls are 50% lower than in Oakland, 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 Sioux Falls.
  Home prices in Sioux Falls are 56.7% lower than in Oakland.
• Income in Sioux Falls is 38.0% lower than in Oakland, so you could earn less 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 43.7% lower than in Oakland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Sioux Falls is 47.1% lower than in Oakland.
• The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls is 28.89% lower than in Oakland.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Sioux Falls, since the city’s sales taxes in Sioux Falls are 36.59% lower than in Oakland.
• One perk of moving to Sioux Falls is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Oakland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,687.86 in Sioux Falls to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How life is different in Oakland vs. Sioux Falls

• Sioux Falls might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 54% less than Oakland.
• Getting around Sioux Falls without a car might be more difficult than in Oakland. Sioux Falls has a public transportation score of 2 out of 10, whereas Oakland is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Sioux Falls neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Oakland. Based on its score of 38 out of 100, Sioux Falls isn’t as walkable as Oakland, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Sioux Falls, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Oakland. While Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, Sioux Falls earned a 46. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Sioux Falls has a lower crime rate than Oakland based on scores of 42.83 and Oakland's 68.62, 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 Oakland, based on Sioux Falls’s safety index of 57.17 versus 31.38 for Oakland. 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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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