Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to SDtoggle

There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.

What to know before moving from SC to SD

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

Cost of living: South Carolina vs. South Dakota

South Carolina South Dakota
Average rent cost $1,065 $878
Average home cost $295,769 $306,944
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $69,457
Cost of Living Index 96 100
Unemployment rate 4.7% 1.9%
Average Sales Tax 7.46% 6.4%
State Income Tax 7.0% 0.0%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 18% less expensive in South Dakota than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 4% higher in South Dakota than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 9% higher in South Dakota than in South Carolina.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in South Dakota than in South Carolina.
  • South Dakota has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 60%.
  • Sales taxes are 14% lower in South Dakota than in South Carolina.
  • South Dakota has no income tax.

How life is different in South Dakota vs. South Carolina

South Dakota South Carolina
Population 919,318 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 63-37 Republican 58-42
Summer high 85ºF 91ºF
Winter low 7ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 23" 48"
Annual snow 39" 1"
Crime index 21.14 28.0
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of South Dakota is approximately 83% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, South Dakota voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Dakota is 85ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Dakota reaches the temperature of 7ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 23 inches of annual rainfall in South Dakota versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In South Dakota, it snows about 39 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • South Dakota has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 21.14 vs. 28.0.

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. South Dakota

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in South Dakota compared to South Carolina.

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in South Dakota
Warm southern hospitality Outstanding tax benefits
Plentiful outdoor activities Robust job market
Beautiful landscapes Low cost of living
Consistently gorgeous weather Beautiful rural landscapes
Rich historical significance Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. South Dakota

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving South Carolina for South Dakota.

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in South Dakota
High cost of living Extreme weather
Hurricane frequency Small-town mindset
Low quality of healthcare Sparsely populated
High taxes Strange and offensive laws
Abundance of construction Unpredictable weather

Other things to consider for your South Carolina to South Dakota movetoggle

  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to South Dakota. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

Things to do in South Dakotatoggle

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
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to South Dakota?toggle

Hiring a full-service South Carolina moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from South Carolina to South Dakota?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from South Carolina to South Dakota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to South Dakota?toggle

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

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or South Dakota?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in South Carolina than in South Dakota. Housing is more affordable in South Carolina, with average rent about 21% less and home prices 4% lower than in South Dakota. South Dakota has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in South Dakota?toggle

You should make approximately $62,125 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in South Dakota. The cost of living in South Dakota is approximately $2,497 per month for an individual and $5,637 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in South Dakota you live For example, larger cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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