($1,099) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Sioux Falls, SD

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Sioux Falls

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

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

• Rent prices in Sioux Falls are 4% lower than in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines.
  Home prices in Sioux Falls are 65.8% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income is the same in Sioux Falls and Des Moines. 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 6.4% lower than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Sioux Falls, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Sioux Falls is 3.7% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls is 45.76% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Sioux Falls, since the city’s sales taxes in Sioux Falls are 7.14% lower than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Sioux Falls is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,808.04 in Sioux Falls to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Sioux Falls

• Sioux Falls might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 71% less than Des Moines.
• Getting around Sioux Falls without a car might be more difficult than in Des Moines. Sioux Falls has a public transportation score of 2 out of 10, whereas Des Moines is ranked 5. 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 Des Moines. Based on its score of 38 out of 100, Sioux Falls isn’t as walkable as Des Moines, which has a score of 45 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.
• If cycling is your thing, Sioux Falls is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines 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 Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Sioux Falls is higher than in Des Moines, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 42.83 in Sioux Falls, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• Sioux Falls is generally as safe as Des Moines, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Sioux Falls and Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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