Factors affecting the cost of moving from SD to AL
There are many factors that influence
South Dakota moving costs.
The cost to move from South Dakota to Alabama 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 Dakota 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 SD to AL
If you’re moving to Alabama from South Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Alabama
|
South Dakota |
Alabama |
| Average rent cost |
$878 |
$925 |
| Average home cost |
$306,944 |
$227,508 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$69,457 |
$59,609 |
| Cost of Living Index |
100 |
88 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.9% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.4% |
9.22% |
| State Income Tax |
0.0% |
5.0% |
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Rent is about 5% more expensive in Alabama than in South Dakota.
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Home prices are about 26% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
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The average income is about 14% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
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Cost of living is 12% lower in Alabama than in South Dakota.
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Alabama has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 53%.
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Sales taxes are 44% higher in Alabama than in South Dakota.
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Income taxes are 5% higher in Alabama than in South Dakota.
How life is different in Alabama vs. South Dakota
|
Alabama |
South Dakota |
| Population |
5,108,468 |
919,318 |
| Political leaning |
Republican 65-35 |
Republican 63-37 |
| Summer high |
91ºF |
85ºF |
| Winter low |
33ºF |
7ºF |
| Annual rain |
56" |
23" |
| Annual snow |
1" |
39" |
| Crime index |
21.48 |
21.14 |
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The population of Alabama is approximately 456% greater than the population of South Dakota.
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In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF
and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF
and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
-
You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
-
In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually
versus 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
-
Alabama has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index
of 21.48 vs. 21.14.
Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Alabama
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Alabama compared to South Dakota.
| Pros of living in South Dakota |
Pros of living in Alabama |
| Outstanding tax benefits |
Low cost of living |
| Robust job market |
Tasty southern comfort food |
| Low cost of living |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Beautiful rural landscapes |
Top-notch college football |
| Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities |
Rich history |
Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Alabama
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 Dakota for Alabama.
| Cons of living in South Dakota |
Cons of living in Alabama |
| Extreme weather |
Poor quality of life |
| Small-town mindset |
Severe weather |
| Sparsely populated |
Restrictive alcohol laws |
| Strange and offensive laws |
Poor healthcare |
| Unpredictable weather |
Cockroaches |
Other things to consider for your South Dakota to Alabama move
- Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
-
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:
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Alabama moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Alabama does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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 Alabama.
Get started here.
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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.
Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Alabama
While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- US Space & Rocket Center
- Birmingham Zoo
- Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
- Point Mallard Park
- Cheaha State Park
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Gulf Shores
- McWane Science Center
- Huntsville Botanical Garden
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
- Mobile Bay
- Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
- W.C. Handy Home and Museum
- National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
- Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
- Bellingrath Gardens and Home
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Cathedral Caverns State Park
- Unclaimed Baggage Center
- Alligator Alley
- Mobile Carnival Museum
- Fort Morgan State Historic Site
- Talladega Superspeedway
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Alabama?
Do movers transport your car from South Dakota to Alabama?
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 Dakota to Alabama
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from South Dakota to Alabama?
The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as
low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.
Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Alabama?
It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in South Dakota.
Housing
is much more affordable in Alabama,
with average rent about 5% less and home prices 25.9% lower than in South Dakota.
South Dakota has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Alabama?
You should make approximately $55,474 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Alabama.
The cost of living in Alabama is approximately $2,392 per month for an individual and $3,855 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Alabama you live
For example, larger cities like Huntsville and Montgomery will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
South Dakota moving services
Popular South Dakota routes
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